A year like no other for Kanturk GAA

KANTURK GAA Club had a year that will go down in the annals of the history of this great dual hurling and football club.

If you spoke to anyone last year and said Kanturk would be playing Senior hurling in 2018 they might have given you a wry smile, but dreams can come true and Kanturk were in the draw for the 2018 Senior hurling county draw.

The year began with the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Semi Final against Middletown Na Fianna (Armagh), which was played on Saturday 27th January at Newbridge at 2pm and the hallowed turf of Croke Park was beckoning for Kanturk. Once Kanturk goaled in the opening minute the game was never in doubt and six days after the original tie was meant to be decided a place in the All Ireland final was confirmed with a 3-13 to 0-12 score line.

As the hordes from Kanturk made the trek to Croke Park, how the spirits of those who toiled for the club over the years were looking down from on high on the current team and management. To mention a few, the late Frank Healy, Jim Manley, Andy Kenneally, Johnny Mahony and the recently deceased Michael O’Brien RIP were recalled, willing Kanturk to victory from above and be very proud course, a leader is always needed and we had that in Coach Donagh Duane.

The players did what was asked of them, the proud Kanturk supporters were there to drive things on and the journey began. First up was the County Championship, which Kanturk navigated and found themselves in a County Final against their nearest neighbours, Mallow. In a cracking encounter and Kanturk came out on top.

Next was a Munster campaign, which was a bonus after the county title, and once again the team dug deep and achieved a Munster title when they defeated the Clare Champions in a wonderful encounter in Limerick.

Next up was a trip to London, then to Kildare, where they cemented a final berth against Ballyragget.

The build-up for the final brought out the best in the loyal community of Kanturk. The exodus of supporters started on Friday and by Sunday there was a gathering of Kanturk people and friends massing around Croke Park to make sure that the team would have the best support possible on the greatest day in the history of Kanturk GAA Club.

When the final whistle blew it was time to get ready for the homecoming for the heroes. There was a Garda escort to see the team out of Dublin