Pictures: Fr O'Neill's and Inniscarra looking forward to Cork v Tipp

As the All-Ireland Hurling final edges ever closer, the excitement levels right across the county are growing.

Sunday will be the first ever Cork v Tipperary hurling decider in Croke Park, with the Rebels looking to bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup back to Leeside for the first time since 2005.

East Cork is a hurling heartland in the county, and one club where All-Ireland hurling final fever is high is at Fr O’Neill’s GAA.

Based in the parish of Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge, Fr O’Neill’s have two representatives on the Cork hurling panel in Declan Dalton and Ger Millerick.

When not focusing on Cork inter-county action, the picture painted by Fr O’Neill’s club members is of two men who are great club servants.

Speaking to The Echo, Fr O’Neill’s chairperson Dan O’Connor said: “We are very proud of them. They are two fantastic young men. The club is having great success at the moment. To have two fellas on the Cork senior hurling panel, it is fantastic for the club.

“It is a great occasion for their families as well. Both families are very supportive of the club.

“I am sure both the Dalton and Millerick families are very proud as well.

“There is huge excitement in the parish. There are flags and photographs going up all over the place.”

The Millerick family are steeped in the Fr O’Neill’s club, with five brothers from the family playing for the current senior team.

Speaking to The Echo, Joe Millerick said he is very proud of his younger brother Ger.

“It is absolutely huge for the club,” he said.

“To have one fella involved would be unreal, but to have two from such a small club, it is just great.

“When Ger and Decky [Dalton] are doing everything at such a high standard, it helps all of the players in the club.

“It brings us all on. Without Decky and Ger’s presence, we wouldn’t have become a senior team.

“They have been a huge help to our club.

“They lead Fr O’Neill’s. Ger leads us from the back, and Decky leads us from the front. Every year in club championship, they are massive for us.

“They are not only great hurlers but great role models as well.”

Meanwhile, All-Ireland excitement was also evident when The Echo visited Inniscarra GAA, the club of Cork hurler Seán O’Donoghue.

Speaking to The Echo, Inniscarra GAA chairperson Conor O’Leary said the Rebels corner-back is an excellent role model for the younger players at the club.

“Everyone looks forward to seeing Cork hurling now at this stage,” he said.

“It is extra special here for us with Seán. We are extremely proud of him because he is a fantastic young man, and he is a great clubman.

“All the kids out there in Inniscarra, all they want to do is see Seán every time they hear he is around the place.

“Seán is very giving of his time to them. He will always be there to sign jerseys and programmes, talk to them, advise them, and coach them when asked.”

At the club yesterday, there was a Cúl Camp for the local youngsters taking place.

There are posters of O’Donoghue located around the club grounds, and it is clear the young kids of the area idolise him.

O’Donoghue was Cork captain last year, when the Rebels suffered All-Ireland final heartbreak at the hands of Clare.

O’Leary added: “It was a very proud moment to see him lead Cork out that day in last year’s All-Ireland final.

“For the club, it was a fantastically proud moment.

“Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, but it didn’t change the view we have of Seán. We are extremely proud of him, and it was very special to see an Inniscarra man lead Cork out that day.”

Some 12 months on, everyone at Inniscarra GAA hopes O’Donoghue can get his hands on an All-Ireland championship winners medal.