‘We’ve mighty spectators and they’re great to travel’
IT’S hard to think of one without the other. It’s hard to think of a Kilcummin team without either. They’ve been mainstays and brothers in arms for a hell of a long time have Shane McSweeney and his midfield partner Kevin Gorman.
Theirs is a partnership that’s endured. Barring injury to either man you could be pretty sure that, under successive management teams, that they’d be lining out together, which does lead to the question of when exactly did the two first line out together?
“That’s a good question. I’m not too sure,” McSweeney says with a chuckle.
“I’d say about fourteen or fifteen years. We’re around there a long time alright I suppose, but it’s enjoyable, the football is enjoyable. I’m coming to the latter stages of it now so it would be nice to get my hands on a Munster medal, but there’s nothing easy in finals.”
It’s only fitting that as the two mainstays come to the end of their journey – although we can be pretty sure there’s plenty football left in both men – they’ve been rewarded with silverware and a Munster odyssey.
Both men have contributed handsomely this term, but McSweeney in particular seems to be really coming on strong. His form for East Kerry in the county championship was revelatory and it was a challenge he clearly relished and one which probably helped him maintain his edge for this Munster campaign.
“It would [keep you sharp],” he admits.
“There was a couple of us involved. It was good for the six or seven, but there was a bit of a downside to it when we couldn’t train with our club, but we’ve had a few games. We played Listry and we played Kilrush and Kilmacthomas. Getting back playing together is good, every game we’re improving away.
“There was a big break alright [between the county and Munster championships]. It’s been hard to find our rhythm again, but every game we’re improving away again. There was a big break and we were a bit rusty above in Clare, but I think we’re improving every game and hopefully it’ll all come together on the day.”
Probably in hindsight relegation was the best thing that ever happen to Kilcummin and to players like McSweeney. Without it they wouldn’t have had the brilliant year they have done.
“You could say that McSweeney concurs.
“The last couple of years it’s just been about keeping our heads above water at senior, so it’s probably no harm to drop down to intermediate and start building very alright,” from there again. Start winning again.
“Winning is a habit and if you can stay winning it’s great, so if you look at it that way it’s no harm to drop down to intermediate and come on again. I didn’t really [think I’d be playing Munster championship again]. I just like to take it every game as it comes.
“When we got dropped to intermediate our first thing was to try and get back up to senior. There’s a couple of senior fellas around my own age and a bunch of young fellas then, it’s upwards and onwards. It’s good.”
For the Kilcummin club and community the experience has been a major boost.
“There’s a good buzz around the place alright,” he says.
“Kilcummin have never been in a Munster final before at any level so there’s a huge buzz around the place. It’s great for the club. We’ve mighty spectators and they’re great to travel.
“We’re looking forward to it now. There was a huge Kilcummin following about in Kilrush so I hope they’ll follow in the same numbers up to Mallow on Sunday. It’s enjoyable, it’s big for the club like.
“It’s big for the players. There’s a lot of young fellas there, good young fellas. It’s great for the club, but Fermoy from the other side are a good side, we’ve a big, big battle ahead of us.”