Excitement continues to build for the Special Ks

EXCITEMENT is mounting in Kanturk and Knocknagree ahead of competing for All Ireland Club honours this Saturday and Sunday. The two Duhallow clubs are part of a huge occasion in Croke Park.

Huge numbers from the famous barony are expected to descend on the capital as Knocknagree and Kanturk strive to emulate the success of Meelin in 2011. Excitement is building in both clubs on preparing for the biggest day in their respective history.

According to Kanturk chairman Tom O’Callaghan ( right), the boots are polished and the helmets ready for their engagement with Ballyragget of Kilkenny in the IHC Final on Sunday with a 3.45pm throw in.

“We’re really looking forward to it, the Kanturk community have got behind the team, with support growing with each step of the way as we went through the County, Munster and All Ireland series that included a trip to London,” he said.

All Ireland hurling medals are a rare commodity in Kanturk, Lorcan McLoughlin, Anthony Nash, Tim Burke and Dan Singleton hold coveted accolades from the past at inter-county level at minor, junior and intermediate levels.

“History beckons for the club, the great names of the past would be very proud of today’s team. It’s been a hectic schedule over the past 10 months, Kanturk completing a remarkable football and hurling double, going 15 games without defeat,” said Tom.

Kanturk made a big statement to overcome Ulster champions Middletown last week in the semi final yet Tom expects a massive challenge in the decider.

“We were worried about playing in Newbridge, thankfully, we got the result and importantly, no major injuries. The final is a Cork and Kilkenny clash, there is terrific excitement around town, a ferocious battle is on the cards to maintain the great traditions between the two counties, but I think Croke Park will suit our team,” said Tom.

All Ireland weekend gets off to an exciting start with an Up for the Match Special on this Friday night in the Edel Quinn Hall commencing at 8pm, plenty of banter, music and song promised.

The team and management departs on Saturday and whatever the outcome after a long day on Sunday, a formal welcome home takes place in Kanturk on Sunday night at 10.30pm.

Likewise Knocknagree are gearing up for a massive day on Saturday when stepping out on the famous Croke Park sward for their All Ireland Junior A Football Final against Multyfarnham of Westmeath.

To date their quest to progress through Cork and Munster has yielded a series of impressive results, though club Chairman Jer Moynihan expects their biggest challenge lays ahead.

“To get to an All

Ireland

Final has been a massive lift for the club, there is a feel good factor towards us. The support of fellow parishioners in Rathmore and Gneeveguilla across the county bounds has been fantastic, much the same within Duhallow,” said Jer. To reach an All Ireland series is difficult for a small club, thought and logistics must be put into travelling to Mullingar and Dublin for big tussles. “Our last game in 2017 finished a week before Christmas, the boys continued their preparations with a number of sessions whilst club officers and team management sought out over night accommodation and proper preparation. Everybody is hoping for the best, twelve months ago, we would be dreaming about playing as a team in Croke Park,” said the chairman.

The build up to the All Ireland Final began with a terrific Up for the Match staged in Knocknagree Hall. And irrespective of how the big game ends, hundreds of Knocknagree supporters are attending a banquet in Dublin on Saturday night.

“We’re hoping for the best, whatever the outcome, we will acknowledge the proudest day in the history of Knocknagree GAA on playing in Croke Park with a big function. Many of those staying over are supporting Kanturk on Sunday, its a brilliant weekend for anybody associated with the clubs

and Duhallow GAA,” said Jer.