'We’re as prepared as we can be' Kilworth's Austin O'Hara looking forward to Castlelyons challenge

RUNNERS up in 2019 and promoted to Senior A, relegated in 2020 after four straight defeats, Kilworth’s time at Senior level was short lived. They were beaten by Valley Rovers in the 2021 quarter-final and failed to make it out of the group last year.

You’d be forgiven for expecting Kilworth to struggle this season, especially after they had played their first two group games.

In the opening game against Watergrasshill, the Avondhu side failed to take their chances, and were punished at the death as the Hill clawed out from the grave and snatched a draw.

It could have easily been a defeat, but Eoin Carey’s late point amid the Watergrasshill onslaught would later be what saved their season.

A defeat in the next round to Castlemartyr, and Kilworth were in trouble.

RESURGENCE

Facing into one of the favourites to win Premier Intermediate outright in Ballinhassig, it was a free hit for Kilworth as they braced for the final group game.

Going into the final 10 minutes of the game, Kilworth were ahead by five points. A late Ballinhassig goal put the pressure on, but Kilworth held their ground.

By the end of the game, they had gone from staring down the relegation barrel, to securing a quarter-final spot.

With a core of strong players, the likes of Noel McNamara, Eoin Carey and Michael Sheehan have stood out for the club this season.

Now they’re back in the Premier Intermediate final.

They face Castlelyons – a team who have been criticised for their failure to make it out of the grade, despite coming so close over the last three years and boasting a squad packed with talent. Does that pressure play into Kilworth’s hands?

“No, I don't think so. I think they're the favourites for a reason,” says corner-back Austin O’Hara. “I suppose coming in from the first two games, it was kind of looking like we could be in a relegation battle, so we just took it at a game at a time after that.

“We're getting the most out of ourselves every day, and I suppose for the final, we're going to be underdogs, and naturally so. Castlelyons are a great side, they've great players, they’ve great experience.

“They've been in county finals in the last couple of years, and they’ve spent years at senior, so we're going into that final now as underdogs. That's okay, we'll take it as it comes.

As Kilworth have steadily improved as the championship has gone on, O’Hara knows how anything can happen in hurling.

We had a great start to the Valleys game, but you're never out the gate until the final whistle.

“Teams of that quality, I mean we knew they were going to come back at us. With the Ballincollig game it was probably a bit different in that it was a bit more tit for tat,” says Austin. “But when you're at this stage in the championship and at this grade that we're in, anybody can beat anybody on their day.

“We’re as prepared as we can be now. The talking is done, it's time for the hurling now.”