‘We put the Limerick defeat behind us and focused on the next task’ says Kingston
SHANE Kingston is in line to become only the eleventh player to lead Cork to All Ireland Under 21 hurling championship glory should his side conquer a mighty Tipp challenge at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday evening.
The Douglas clubman hopes to follow in the footsteps of senior and Under 21 dual captain from 1966, Gerald McCarthy, in addition to the likes of Pat McDonnell, whilst the last Cork skipper was Dan Murphy.
Kingston’s more immediate thoughts are of playing another game and is unfazed on the prospects of leading Cork out the tunnel in Limerick.
“Personally for me, there is no pressure, every game varies, I just want to go out whether its minor, Under 21 or senior. It’s an honour to be captain of a great group of players, they are all talented and dedicated, to be captain is just a matter of going up for the toss,” he said.
It’s been an eventful season for Kingston, left to ponder on how it might have been all so very different in the senior grade if they had not forfeited a six point lead to Limerick late in the All Ireland SHC semi-final.
After slumping to a defeat in extra time, Kingston and his young colleagues had to switch attentions to the All Ireland Under 21 semi-final six days later.
“It was a tough defeat to take against Limerick, some of us had something to look forward to, the bonus of playing in another All Ireland semi-final. Once we got into recovery, we put the
Limerick defeat behind us and focused on the next task,” said Kingston.
“Of course, it’s difficult to be involved, for once the inter county scene is completed, its straight into club action, hopefully Douglas can create an impression in both Under 21 and senior grades.
“That’s playing into October and November, add in the Third level Fitzgibbon Cup sees to it, there isn’t too much of a break but we take plenty of positives from playing at such a high level.”
While Cork have impressed in their last two games, they were made to work harder than many would expected to overcome Waterford in the semi-final. Trailing by five points early in the second half, Cork upped their level of performance to record a three point victory.
“Waterford brought a tough game to us, our first experience at Under 21 level, going in with a so called good team. Probably, we were a bit complacent, didn’t show Waterford, the required respect they deserved,” said Kingston.
Indeed the Cork captain shared the relief on emerging the right side of the result and feels the camaraderie in the panel has bonded a panel keen for further success.
“That performance almost cost us big time, very lucky to come out of it and I think, we‘ve learned from that experience.
“They were up to twelve players involved on senior and Under 21 panels, we’re together five or six days a week, all outgoing fellas, gelling and playing together from minor days.”
Sunday’s opponents Tipperary impressed Kingston in their semi-final win, an outfit that went away and availed of the second opportunity to get back into the All Ireland series yet he is optimistic of Cork’s chances.
“Tipp didn’t play well against us in the Munster Final, we did, nobody knows if that will be repeated in the All Ireland Final. They are a completely different side now in terms of personnel, it won’t be easy, we expect it to be tight, hopefully, we can get the job done.”