Make history
goaling the last day to cement their names in manager Donagh Duane’s thinking.
Kanturk make chances and on some occasions lots of them, but they don’t always capitalise on those chances. If Kanturk are to win this weekend they will need to cut out wide counts of anything like the 18 they harvested against Mallow and keep the particular tally to something in single digits.
Kanturk will also need to keep the Ballyragget defensive pack on their toes persuading them through pressure to stay close to their own goal rather than surging forward, which they can do in numbers.
Ballyragget may not be able to call upon a host of inter-county stars for their line-up but they do have senior star Kevin Kelly among their lot however players of the quality of Michael Brennan, Brian Phelan, Joseph Brennan, Barry Staunton, and Eoin Bergin all have serious pedigree with long range shooting well within their compass.
Despite this, Kanturk will need to keep the Cats as far from the Cork side’s goal if they are to win this one as Ballyragget are well versed in goal getting, something that becomes easier and more important when lining out on the expansive Croke Park turf. Kanturk obviously have one of the best goalkeepers in the country between the sticks
While there will be many players of quality on either side to focus on this weekend there is little doubt that the big, and perhaps the most important match-up will be in the Ballyragget centre back spot as their inspirational captain Stephen Staunton is likely to square up to Kanturk’s on field general Fionn O’Neill.
Two captains with quality and desire on tap will leave nothing on the pitch and if these two face off directly it would be reasonable to assume that the man that wins this dual may well be on the winning side.
Kanturk will likely have to start this game without their free taker and corner forward Liam O’Keeffe. The number fifteen is unlikely to feature because of the hand injury that kept him out of the semi-final win, that said the hugely talented attacker will be given every opportunity to make the starting fifteen.
It is just as well for the Munster Champions that they can call upon the likes of All Ireland winner and all round inspiration on and off the pitch Lorcán McLoughlin to take the dead ball efforts.
Kanturk obviously have one of the best goal keepers in the country between the sticks and while his shot stopping prowess is legendary, his laser like puck outs that seem to always find their target along with his penalty taking and an ability to score from long range make him a quadrupole threat to the Kilkenny men.
So what is likely to happen? Well, this one will go all the way. Neither side will give or ask for quarter and neither will concede till the day is done. Both sides will feel their name should be on this title but neither will fall into the trap of believing it is their destiny.
Both will need to be on their game and both will need push past the nerves of playing at Croke Park. Anyone’s guess who will win but my money is on Kanturk.
Verdict: Kanturk