Mark Mullins' Na Piarsiagh still have a chance of avoiding relegation

MARK Mullins has given many years of dedication and service to Na Piarsaigh and his latest role is manager to their hurlers whose 3-19 to 1-15 win over Ballincollig gives them a chance of survival in the Red FM Division 1 Hurling League.

There are still around of games to go, with Piarsaigh against Blackrock, and Ballincollig and Kanturk also battling to avoid the drop.

Mullins is head of a coaching team that includes Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, John Gardiner, Christy Connery and Christy O’Connor. Though the challenge is big, he is enjoying the role.

“The important thing from this game was to get the right result and although we were not at our best we got the scores that ultimately got us over the line,” he said.

In the first half, Ballincollig had 14 wides and although Na Piarsaigh went in at the break with a five-point lead they hadn't hurled to a good enough standard.

“We had a good chat at half-time as Seán Óg laid out what we needed to do in the second half and to be fair the lads responded in style and we by far better playing against the wind. In the second half was exactly what the lads have been doing at training so it wasn’t rocket science."

In 2022, Na Piarsaigh lost their Premier Senior status and there is major work been done at all levels of the club to get playing at the top tier again.

“The Senior A Championship is of a high standard as every club has ambitions to win it but we have pride and we are working hard to be ready for our opening game of the championship.” 

Getting a fully fit side out will be crucial for the championship, with the likes of Daire Connery currently absent.

We have a few players to come back and that will help us but in truth, I have to say the players are working their socks off and long may that continue as we have great faith in this group.” 

Mullins, Cork hurling captain in 1996, believes both senior grades on Leeside are hard to win.

“Every game that will be played this season in Senior A will be very competitive and all we can do is keep working hard in our own patch and see where it takes us."

Na Piarsaigh have produced some wonderful hurlers and Mullins feels the present crop of hurlers have the skill level to compete with the best.

“It will be down to hard work and getting a bit of luck as games will be tight but I always say you only get from games what you put in on the training ground and that will be our soul focus for the next six weeks.” 

STANDOUT

Man of the Match against Ballincollig was Gordon Joyce, who produced four first-half blocks, while Ross O'Sullivan hit 0-7 from play and Kevin Moynihan was also a standout.

“Gordon was outstanding but just as he did tonight that’s what we have been working hard on at training and of course having Ross O’Sullivan back from his stint with the Cork U20 team is a huge plus."

“For now all our focus is on our game against Courcey Rovers on August 2 when our championship kicks off.”