WE’VE GOT BACK OUR OLD KILCOR INSTINCT AGAIN
PETER HEALION says it’s like deja vu as Kilcormac/killoughey chase provincial honours again.
Team captain Healion has been a stalwart of the most glorious period in the club’s history as they won their first county hurling title in 2012 and went all the way to the All-ireland final before completing a three-ina-row in Offaly.
There were near misses in their subsequent
Leinster campaigns, beaten by Oulart-the Ballagh in 2013 and Ballyhale Shamrocks after extra-time the following year.
The trauma of the latter defeat left a scar and they failed to emerge from the county again until this year.
But having beaten Castletowngeoghegan, they’re favourites to see off Mount Leinster Rangers, who they overcame en route to the 2012 Leinster title, in tomorrow’s provincial semi-final in Tullamore.
“When you win threein-a-row, you take it for granted,” Healion said.
“Then, we had the lull of two years but in fairness to Rynagh’s and Coolderry, they were worthy champions, no qualms about that.
“It was great to get back this year. This was very important for the players and the club.
“If we had gone another year without a county title, it would have been hard on the players, lots of lads might have decided that they had enough, because they had been there for a long time.
“This one was as sweet as the first one in 2012. I am 34 now. When we lost the semifinal last year, I was thinking there was no way I can finish up on a defeat like that.”
The other semi-final sees Cuala welcome St Martin’s – fresh from their first Wexford title in nine years – to Parnell Park.
It’s a big ask for Martin’s to take out the reigning All-ireland champions and they’ll be pinning much of their hopes on Wexford starlet Rory O’connor (inset), son of former county star John.
The teenager said: “You’re not going to put any pressure on yourself and we certainly don’t think there is any pressure on us anyway. Since it’s in their back garden too, we’re only dying to go up there and give it a lash.” Ballygunner (Waterford) v Na Piarsaigh (Limerick), Semple Stadium, 2pm - TG4
Leinster SHC semi-finals Kilcormac-killoughey (Offaly) v Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow), O’connor Park, 2pm Cuala (Dublin) v St Martin’s (Wexford), Parnell Park, 2pm Ulster SFC semi-final replay Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) v Cavan Gaels (Cavan), Clones, 1.45pm