From Dubai to Cork: Anthony Spillane's dedication pays off

ANTHONY SPILLANE has been going to great lengths and even greater distances to line out for his beloved Castlelyons and it was made all worthwhile last Sunday as the team in green and gold defeated Kilworth in the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC final by two points, 0-19 to 0-17.

For the Dubai based forward, it was particularly a sweet one as he was on the team that lost the final to Youghal in 2013. It took Castlelyons seven years to get back to the decider, but Blarney proved too good and another final defeat would follow 13 months later when Courcey Rovers pipped Castlelyons at the post.

Spillane played his part in Castlelyons historic success at the weekend, as he finished up with four points with one of his points coming right at the very end. It was no wonder the 28-year-old was buzzing when he spoke to The Echo after the hard-fought win.

“It’s unbelievable to be honest with you, this won’t sink in for quite some time,” says Spillane.

“Everyone had been well aware that we had been very close over the last few years, but just couldn’t get over the line. This grade is extremely competitive, one of the toughest to win. But, since Noel Furlong came in as manager at the start of the season he just gave us belief that we could win the county. A big thing that the new management worked on with us was that it didn’t matter what happened over the last few years, we started from a clean slate. We probably did panic in the 2020 and 2021 finals, but we didn’t today.

“We knew Kilworth were going to pose a serious challenge, and they most certainly did. They are good hurlers, always tough to beat. We weren’t surprised that they reached the final to be honest. I know a lot of people were tipping Ballincollig to reach the final at the start of the campaign, but I had a feeling Kilworth would beat them in the semi-final. I actually still can’t believe we have done it.” 

Relief was Spillane’s overriding emotion once referee Wayne King blew for full-time at the weekend.

“We had been knocking on the door for a good few years so it's relief really that we have finally got over the line. We have had people trying to knock us for a good while saying we would never win the county, so I think we have proved many people wrong today. I am so happy for our supporters, they have followed us all over the county in big numbers. The last time we won the county was 1998, my dad was captain, I was only three years old, so it’s huge for the parish.” 

The long trips home for games from Dubai has been worth it for the sharpshooter.

“I moved over to Dubai in the summer of 2022,” Spillane says.

“I flew home once last season, which was the semi-final defeat to Castlemartyr, whereas I have had four trips home in this campaign. I was around for the first two group games and then I came home from Dubai for the last group match against Ballincollig, quarter-final against Ballymartle, semi-final against Castlemartyr and the final against Kilworth today.

“Some people think I am mad, but since I was very young I wanted to play for Castlelyons, so I knew when I made the decision to move to Dubai that it was going to be challenging, but the club has been brilliant. It has been all worth it. Roll on senior A hurling.”