Playing senior with the Glen were some of the happiest days of Kieran O'Callaghan's life

The Glen Rovers Hurling club in Blackpool is renowned for producing quality players.

Although Kieran O’Callaghan was never fortunate enough to win a senior hurling championship county medal, his memories of his time playing senior with the great club remain close to his heart.

“I suppose it all started for me as an eight year-old after moving from Mayfield to Ballyvolane playing in the street leagues, starting at under nine before I began playing in Bord Na Og competitions,” O Callaghan said.

The coaching at underage level was extremely good according to Kieran.

“We started well with players like Tadgh Murphy, Mickey Corbett, Ian Coffey, Kevin O’Leary and Cormac Burke, and ironically, my sons are now playing with Cormac Burke’s lads in the Glen,” Kieran added.

After having success at under 16 level Kieran had to wait until progressing to the U21 Glen Rovers team to experience success.

“We had a decent squad that included Ritchie Kelleher, Seanie McGrath, Glen Foley and we won the county title in 1995, beating a hotly-fancied Barrs team in the semi final, and Ballincollig in the final.” 

The win over the Barrs in the city final was special as this group of players had never beaten them at any level for a few years.

Like all Glen Rovers players, the ambition to play with the club at senior level is always a top priority and it happened in 1996 for O’Callaghan.

“It was almost a rollercoaster journey but we lost in the county semi-final to Avondhu after a replay, but in the following season we suffered an early exit to Blackrock which cut our season short.” 

In 1997, Kieran was called up to the Cork U21 team, a year he will never forget as they went on to win the All-Ireland title.

“I was a sub in the final and a little disappointed not to have started as I had played well enough throughout the campaign, but in reality, the half back line was loaded with players that included players the likes of Sean Og O'hAilpin, Dan Murphy and Derek Barrett.

“Looking back in that year I came on in the Munster final against Tipperary and I will never forget Timmy McCarthy scoring his winning goal in the final minute that saw us pip them by one point in a gripping game.” 

The career of O’Callaghan playing senior level with the Glen started in 1996 against Milford and finished against Newtownshandrum in 2009 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Ironically, the Glen reached the county final the following season but for Kieran who was working with Wyett in Dublin for ten years, the toll of travelling up and down the road became too tough in the latter years of his club career.

When Glen Rovers finally made the breakthrough in 2015, O’Callaghan wasn’t surprised.

“When I stepped away you could see there was a good core of hurlers coming through in Brian Moylan, Stephen McDonnell, Cathal Hickey, Graham Callanan, Patrick Horgan and Dean Brosnan, all fabulous hurlers.

“These lads were the backbone of the team that drove them on to win consecutive county titles in 2015 and 2016 and you add a few more guys like Dave Doolan and Dave Noonan, and you had a very good squad.” 

Last season much to the shock of the Cork GAA fraternity Glen Rovers lost their premier senior status and O’Callaghan reflected on that year.

“Last season was bitterly disappointing and we had no spark and the lads found it hard to get going, and for a club to have our tradition it was a tough one to take.

“Naturally, there was major hurt in the club. but hopefully lessons have been learned and we will make a return sooner than later.” 

After a decent league campaign Glen Rovers will now be hoping to make an immediate return to the top tier.

“Tomas Mulcahy has gone in as manager and in two of his selectors, Graham Callanan and David Cunningham, you have a good continuation as both of them would have played with the elder lemons of the team and that can only be a huge plus.” 

Married to Claire, and now residing in Whitechurch, they have two sons, Joe and Sam with Kelvin (23) from a previous relationship.

“My two young lads are soccer fanatics with Rockmount and hurling fanatics with the Glen, so when they become of age they will choose the route they want to go.

“To be honest, I would love to witness my sons wearing the Glen jersey at senior level and getting the same satisfaction that I experienced for many years of my life.”