Kanturk postponement a “big anti-climax” for everyone
KANTURK will again head back up the M8 next weekend to again prepare for the biggest game in the club’s long history – the All Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling semi-final with Middletown Na Fianna of Armagh.
The game, which was originally down for decision last Sunday was called off due to a flooded Newbridge pitch and is again scheduled for 2pm but this time the game will be played on Saturday rather than Sunday.
“Of course, it is all less than ideal but that is the same for both sides,” Kanturk Chairman Tom O’Callaghan told The Corkman this week. “Last weekend was a big anti-climax for everyone. We went up to The Heritage on Saturday and stayed there overnight so we were only 20 minutes from Newbridge and the ground but ultimately that wouldn’t matter. That location was ideal for us. We heard on Saturday night that there was going to be a pitch inspection on Sunday so we knew there was a chance it could be off so it really wasn’t that much of a surprise considering all the rain that fell in the midlands when we heard that the game was off.
“Everyone was really up for the game, the players, the club and the town were all set for the semi-final with buses booked and plans made but the weather ultimately got the best of it.
“Look, nobody died, and we will get on with it. It is definitely on this weekend and we will go through the same process again and get up for it again. We will go to The Heritage again and prepare as best we can. We all know that it will be a tough test ahead but hopefully the lads have all the hard work done.
“There was a real sense of disappointment last Sunday as people were really excited and hopefully they will all get behind the lads again – I am sure they will. It is getting close now to the All-Ireland Final and a trip to Croke Park but we still have to get past the highly rated Ulster Championship winning side before we can even think about that.”
There will be a serious case of Déjà vu next weekend right up until the ball goes in but Kanturk will be well up for the challenge ahead however if they win, they will need to come down, prepare and rise again for the following weekend when the All Ireland intermediate Champions will be crowned.
“If we are lucky enough to get to the final I can’t see the quick turnaround being a problem. We played Sunday after Sunday after Sunday for most of the second half of 2017 and we responded so hopefully if we get to the final that won’t be a problem.”
This game has to be sorted out this weekend and with more rain due it is The Corkman’s understanding that a new pitch at the National Campus in Abbotstown is on standby if the Newbridge pitch fails to make the grade again.
Watch this space.