Kanturk are on cusp of Croker
NEXT weekend Kanturk will head to Newbridge, County Kildare for the biggest game in the club’s history.
While every game the Kanturk hurlers embarked upon since the season began, all of nine months ago, has been challenging, the club has taken it all in its stride and now, in the middle of January, 2018, the club stands just one step away from a trip to Croke Park for an All-Ireland Final.
The opposition next weekend in the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship semi-final will be totally unfamiliar to Kanturk’s management and players and that will of course cause problems, however, it is unlikely that the opposition will have that much work done on the Munster Champions either, so this one will be tough for both sides.
Middletown Na Fianna of Armagh will be no pushovers next Sunday in St Conleth’s Park and considering that three players in the Kanturk set-up have serious inter-county pedigree the Ulster title holders are unlikely to take anything for granted.
Players of the calibre of Anthony Nash, Lorcán McLoughlan and Aidan Walsh would put the fear of God into most sides, but added to the fact that the trio, along with their friends, families and neighbours, seem to be on some sort of a quest this season, Middletown Na Fianna will most certainly have their work cut out for them.
Kanturk have been immense this season. They battled to two Cork titles, Premier Hurling and Intermediate Football, and while both challenges proved ultimately to be successful the competitions must have taken their toll on several players that battled through both – that said, you would hardly have noticed when the hurlers went into the provincial competition as they romped to their first intermediate Munster crown – sparking wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.
McLoughlin, Nash and Walsh have been there before on the inter-county scene with Cork and all have collected national honours but all have also stated publicly that this current campaign is one of the most important and enjoyable sporting achievements in their respective careers.
Often it can be difficult to look past the three names when one
is talking about Kanturk as all three are still very relevant in Cork’s plans however Kanturk hurling is much more than these three stars with many more highly talented players on show.
Names like Darren Browne, Liam O’Keeffe and Lorcan O’Neill have all had successful seasons thus far and will be all looking to help drive the boys from the banks of the Allow and the Dallow on.
Browne’s inclusion in Cork’s this pre-season is more proof that this current crop of Kanturk stars have plenty to offer both from a club and county perspective.
Ian Walsh, cousin of Aidan, is another that will have a serious impact this weekend as he is nearly always good for three scores or more. Ryan Walsh and Mark Healy another brace that should add to the scoring threat with Alan O’Keeffe also likely to be crucial. Kanturk’s lesser There really is no way to play down the significance of this weekend’s fixture and nor should anyone try
names have shone all season and will likely stand tall again which all bodes well for the Rebel side.
There really is no way to play down the significance of this weekend’s fixture and nor should anyone try.
Kanturk has a great sporting history with everything from the GAA to rugby and on to cycling and boxing catered for in the Duhallow town.
Kanturk’s people have shown a great love for sport in recent times and next Sunday could see them and those that volunteer throughout the dark nights being rewarded in spades.
Kanturk will likely be favourites for the win, but Middletown Na Fianna have been at this level before and have secured plenty Ulster titles over the years so forget what the bookies say here.
Time will tell if the Cork and Munster Champions are good enough to progress next weekend however if desire, commitment, dedication, skill and a sheer will to win count for anything then roll on the All Ireland Final as this current bunch of Cork hurlers have all of the attributes in spades.