IT’S CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN LONDON FOR KANTURK FANS
THE Kanturk juggernaut rumbles on after their hurling heroes claimed a historic first time victory in a dramatic Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championdship Final in Limerick last Sunday.
And the quest for All Ireland honours begins next weekend with a trip to London for a quater-final assignment.
It’s been a year to remember for Kanturk supporters who have seen their hurlers complete a fairytale story to collect a remarkable county and Munster double. In doing so, Kanturk become the first Duhallow club to complete the feat in the grade, following in the footsteps of Meelin who did likewise in the Junior grade in 2011.
At the end of a nerve-racking tussle on Sunday last, hundreds of Kanturk supporters poured onto the Gaelic Grounds playing surface to savour the delight of a single point victory over Kilmaley from Clare.
Between hurling and football in dual championship campaigns, game number 13 didn’t prove unlucky for Kanturk, though it took extra time and plenty of drama to resolve as team captain Lorcan O’Neill fought back the tears to lift the prized silverware at the end of an epic contest.
“I’m thrilled to collect the trophy on behalf of a brilliant team and management. The supporters played their part, too, and were very much the 16th man for Kanturk,” he told a massive Kanturk throng.
On their return to Kanturk, a parade left from Percival Street to a thronged Edel Quinn Hall as fans saluted the new Munster champions.
Club chairman Tom O’Callaghan hailed the input of each player as they were introducted onto the stage.
“Our lads had plenty of heart and they fought back to land the spoils in extra time. All involved deserve great credit from their schedule this year after winning county titles in both hurling and football and now a Munster title”, he said.
Into December, the action will continue for Kanturk in London on Saturday week, where they will face up to 2011 finalists Kilburn Gaels in Ruislip.
“If the compromise rules can go to Australia for football, why not Kanturk for London. However, there is the serious business of a game and hopefully we can continue on our winning ways,” said coach Jim McCarthy.
With Cork and Munster done and dusted, this week Kanturk supporters searched online for flights and checked out passports for the next stop in the journey... London.