Iverleary are pushing hard for county football glory inspired by loyal club men

NOTICEABLE in Iveleary’s 3-8 to 0-6 triumph over Ballinascarthy in Saturday’s County JAFC quarter-final was the fact that all four of their selectors had given tremendous service to the club in the not too distant past.

Among them was John McNulty and he was first to express his views after the game in Newcestown.

“We knew that Bal would be hard to beat given they had the momentum due to them being involved in both codes during the past few weeks. We were made to work hard, but I think our second goal really settled us even though we did shoot a good few wides.

“However, I would be a lot more worried had we not created the chances and with a little bit more work, I’m confident our attack will improve as the talent is there. Next up is a Kilshanning side that are favourites for the county with a couple of Cork players in their ranks.

“They are also very involved in the U21 championship so we are facing a big challenge, but we will put our shoulders to the wheel and will be well up for it,” declared the Iveleary mentor.

Chris Óg Jones is one of the Inchigeelagh side’s better known players and he also expressed himself happy with a job well done.

“The Kilshanning game will be a different proposition altogether but we will be glad to have this one done and dusted as Bal, being a hurling team were hard beaten.

“The wind was a bit tricky out there today, but we managed to get goals at vital times and we built on them,” stated a player who was on the Cork U20 team last year but unfortunately missed out by a mere nine days on playing a part in this year’s All-Ireland-winning side.

Well over 21 are the selectors, including the versatile Don Murphy and Dan Kelleher, the latter having worn the Cork jersey previously.

Relaxing in the dressing room they were well satisfied with their side’s victory and were complimentary of a Bal outfit that they believed provided them with a stiff enough challenge. Never lost for a word was the remaining selector John O’Callaghan known to one and all as John ‘Finn’.

“I’m still sub goalie, but I hope Joe (Creedon) continues to play as well as he has been playing and leave me to get involved in selecting the team. It was a good win, but the wind was tricky so it could be blamed for some of our poor shooting.

“However, we have come on with every game since the start of the championship during which we have had some hard games and expect another one from a Kilshanning outfit bolstered by a few very good Cork players.”