Kieran Kingston's Tracton return paying off, next up a county final

Kieran Kingston looks like defying that well-worn mantra that coaches should never return to a former successful role after Tracton moved to within touching distance of the promised land.

Certainly, Kingston and co in Minane Bridge will be taking nothing for granted; it’s a philosophy that has stood them well over the year, and a point he emphasised after Sunday’s victory over Ballinora.

“There are no medals handed out today, they were in a final two years ago, lost it and I as say there was nothing won today,” he said.

Today is about getting to the final, we are there and it all starts again.”

Regarded as firm favourites to claim the Co-Op Super Store Junior A County Hurling title at the start of the year, Kingston along with the team manager, Patrick Murphy, continue to scoff at such suggestions.

A tough campaign in the Carrigdhoun division had seen them overcome difficult opposition in the form of Belgooly and Valley Rovers, and as with the win over Ballinora, it was experience that got them over the line.

“They came up with scores, Mickey and Ronan did a great job inside, held it up and obviously neither are not as good as they used to be on the legs,” he said.

“Joe Kingston, another old stager at 40 years of age, came in there for the second half and did a great job for us. I am delighted for those fellas to be in a final.”

SERIOUS

Facing Killavullen in the final, yesterday’s test against Ballinora will no doubt stand to the Carrigdhoun men when they face the Avondhu side in the coming weeks.

“Ballinora are a serious team, they have won four Mid Corks in a row, they are physical, intermediate footballers, and we knew if we didn’t match them physically today, we weren’t going to be in a final today,” he said.

Most pleasing for Kingston about the performance on Sunday was the manner of the victory.

Playing into a strong wind in the first 30 minutes, and the fact that they only trailed by two at the break and could have even been ahead, was very satisfying for Kingston and his selectors.

“Considering we played into the wind in the first half and we were only two down and could have had three goals was very positive.”

Of course, having conceded only a few frees is becoming an important attribute, one that Kingston has been working on.

The lads were very disciplined in their tackling, and I thought the second-half display was outstanding.

“They left everything out there, missed a few scores and it is easy to say it now, but even if we had lost the game you wouldn’t have been disappointed because they had given everything and that is all you can ask.”