Kanturk's Brian O'Sullivan: We want to get out of the group and kick on 

Kanturk sailed very close to the wind last year as they avoided the drop from the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC following victory over Glen Rovers in the relegation play-off.

They don’t want a repeat of that this season and winning your first game is always so important and that’s what the Duhallow side did last Friday evening in Mallow as they prevailed against Erin's Own on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-14.

Considering that Midleton and Charleville are also in this very interesting group, there was added importance to the encounter in Mallow and it was Kanturk who came up with the answers. It does take the pressure off them with Brian O’Sullivan, an All-Ireland hurling winner with the Cork U20s in 2020 and ’21, playing a significant role. The midfielder, who literally covered every blade of grass, hit 0-7 (0-6 f).

While it was a big win for Kanturk, O’Sullivan is keen to build on it now and not just to rest on their laurels. 

“It’s a huge victory especially after ending up in the relegation play-off last year,” the 22-year-old says.

“Things just didn’t go our way in the last campaign so it does take the pressure off and you can just drive on now. Winning the first day out is huge, it builds confidence and momentum and all that. Hopefully now we can express ourselves more. We came into this match in good spirits on the back of a strong enough league campaign. 

“We had lads away, injuries and all of that so we knew once we got everyone together that we would be in good shape. It’s all about the championship. I knew there was an extra gear in us. Every player stood up and played well. We still have a lot to work on and I feel there’s so much more in us. It was a good win and we were kind of half comfortable at stages in the second half.” 

While every player that started the match put their shoulder to the wheel for the Kanturk cause against Erin’s Own, the substitutes also made a mark and contributed handsomely. It was a combination of a powerful performance after the break and the bench press that gave the team in green and white a four-point win. It looked like it was going to go down to the wire when the teams went into the dressing rooms deadlocked at half-time.

“Tommy [Walsh] really nullified Robbie O’Flynn which was important,” O’Sullivan said.

“We knew when Tommy came back after the Cork footballers' season finished that he would do a job for us. He went and did that. It wasn’t just Tommy, all the backs did their job and also the forwards. Donal [Cronin, coach] has come in this year and he hasn’t changed much but he has just built on the work that had already been done. 

"He knows what we are capable of and just told us to relax at the break and just do the business. The subs made a difference too. Rory Sheahan was one who made a massive impact when he came off the bench. The way the game is gone, you need the panel.” 

Two points on the board after one game is the best possible start and despite the difficulty of the remaining group matches against Midleton and Charleville, O’Sullivan is relishing them. 

“I wouldn’t be worrying what other people think anyway. I think we have a great chance of getting results in the next two games. I know Midleton and Charleville are good but we won’t be fearing them anyway. If you get out of the group anything can happen. We have come a long way in a relatively short space of time but we just aren’t happy with being at premier senior level, we want to drive on.

“We want to get out of the group and we do want to kick on and see what happens after that. We have a nice mix of youth and experience and that could be key.”