Premier SHC: Kanturk were junior A in 2003, next year will be their third season in the top flight

WHILE Glen Rovers relegation from the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC was the big story over the past ten days or so, Kanturk’s three-point win and survival in the top table is an incredible achievement.

Kanturk, from a division that is a hotbed of football, rise through the hurling ranks over the past 20 years has been simply outstanding. 2024 will be the club’s third season dining out at the top table and richly deserved. Kanturk were full value for their 1-16 to 1-13 triumph over the Glen last Saturday week in Fermoy, the only surprise was that the winning margin wasn’t greater. As has been the case in Kanturk’s previous three championship games this season, the Duhallow club had a very high wides tally, this time registering 19 wides against the Blackpool outfit, with the majority of the wides relatively easy scoring chances.

The fact Kanturk ended up in the relegation play-off was very unfortunate but that’s just the cut-throat nature of the current championship format. Tom Walsh’s side probably should have beaten Sarsfields in the first group game, the lively encounter ended in a draw, 0-19 to 1-16. Lorcán McLoughlin and Colin Walsh had scoring chances in injury-time, but neither were able to find a white flag.

The second group match was there for the taking as well for the team in green and white, but Newtownshandrum prevailed 2-18 to 1-19, helped in no small part from Jamie Coughlan who finished up with 2-9, 0-6 frees, with 2-8 coming in the first 30 minutes. Kanturk’s tally of 16 wides came back to cost them.

Even in the final group game against reigning champions St Finbarr’s, Kanturk did quite well for 53 minutes but a powerful closing seven minutes ensured the Barrs won 0-29 to 1-18. It was a case of what might have been for the Duhallow club.

There was no real pressure on Kanturk in the relegation play-off against the Glen. The body language of the management and players as they strolled around the Fermoy turf an hour before the game in a relaxed and confident mood said it all. They had a look of a side that had it under control and they delivered. The Glen management and players hopped gingerly off the bus an hour before throw-in looking like a side carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.

The Glen battled gamely and despite being ahead at certain stages of a tense game, they simply had no answer to their opposition in the closing stages. From the off, Kanturk were more skillful, coherent and had the nerve late on.

Kanturk were a junior A hurling club 20 years ago, while the Glen were in the top table, they were poles apart, but it just shows what hard work and a solid underage structure can do. 2004 was Kanturk’s first year in the intermediate grade. They didn’t win the junior A hurling county in 2003, but due to the restructuring of the grades, Kanturk got an invitation to move up and they haven’t looked back.

The Duhallow side won the IAHC in 2013, PIHC in 2017 and SAHC in 2021. The club constantly delivers despite having a relatively small pick. They will be looking to kick on next season and you know what, you wouldn’t put it past them doing so.

They have the right balance between youth and experience guided by their composed manager Tom Walsh. Former player Donagh Duane, who was an inspirational figure at full-back when they won the IHC a decade ago, came in as coach this season and has made a huge impact. Duane was between the sticks last season.

Young Grantas Bucinskas has been superb in goal all season, he hasn’t put a foot wrong. John McLoughlin adds experience at the back with Darren Browne having a massive impact on the team since his return from the USA in early August. Browne did a solid job marshalling Patrick Horgan over a week ago.

Lorcán McLoughlin has been excellent this season, his role as a sweeper was a shrewd move from the Kanturk management against the Glen, he’s such an intelligent hurler. Brian O’Sullivan, who was also in the USA, and came home at the same time as Browne, has excelled over the past month. Colin and Alan Walsh have everything that you would want in a modern day hurler.

Kanturk keep on delivering. Mighty club.