Mallow’s Sheehan is London’s key man in Ring Cup final
AWAY from the excitement of the Munster Football and Hurling Championships, there is a key Cork interest on Croke Park on Saturday, Rebel natives part and parcel on England hurling sides seeking glory in the Christy Ring Cup, Nicky Rackard Cup and Lory Meagher Cup.
London come up against Kildare in their first Christy Ring Cup Final appearance since their 2012 success. Todate in the campaign, Mallow native Aaron Sheehan has presented himself as a bit of a wrecking ball on chalking up a massive 1-37 tally and former Cork panellist Killian Burke is a key operator in defence.
From the semi-final, Sheehan delivered 0-14 after London ran out convincing winners against Wicklow. Opponents Kildare hope to repeat the outright triumph from 2014 after they proved too strong for Derry in a closely contested semi-final.
There is an enterprise and energy to London’s game, banking on another big display from their talisman Sheehan in their search of a prize commemorating a Cork legend. On home soil, dual player Sheehan netted the match winner for Mallow in their County Premier IFC victory over St Michaels last season.
Colleague Burke was on the Cork panel that defeated Clare to win the 2017 Munster SHC, the former Midleton stalwart won a county SHC medal in 2013 following a victory against Sarsfields.
Warwickshire return to Croke Park for the second consecutive year when they face Donegal in the Nicky Rickard Cup Final.
Twelve months ago, Warwickshire collected the Lory Meagher Cup for the second time and now go in search of a Rackard Cup won by Donegal in 2013.
Its been a fruitful few seasons for Warwickshire, adding a League title earlier in the spring and they hold a 16 game unbeaten run to their credit. There is a well constructed unit about the UK midlands side, experienced operators Michéal O’Regan (Freemount) and John Collins (Douglas) part of the regular starting side.
Its the dream of every player to perform in Croke Park, O’Regan hopeful of more outright success but expects a searching examination from the Ulster representatives.
“There aren’t that many hurlers in the country that can say they have played a competitive hurling final in Croke Park, one doesn’t get too many chances to play in GAA HQ.
“I think we have a great chance against Donegal but we will need to be at our best as both of the previous wins were hard fought and close contests,” said the Duhallow native.
Meanwhile Lancashire tackle Sligo in the Lory Meagher Cup in their search for a first time victory.
Contributing handsomely to the Lancashire cause is ex Bandon star Ronan Crowley, ever consistent on registering massive tallies in the league earlier in the year, that form continued in the Cup.
Again Crowley is no stranger to success, a key man in Bandon’s defeat of Fermoy in the 2016 Co. Premier IHC to earn the West Cork side senior hurling status.