Michael Hurley: Great for Castlehaven to deliver when pressure was on

After a hectic October on the playing fields, there were several contenders in the mix for the 96FM/C103 GAA Sports Star award, which is presented in conjunction with Rochestown Park Hotel. 

In the end Castlehaven's Michael Hurley got the nod for the role he played in his club's Premier Senior Football success. It has been quite a 12-month period for the club, with back-to-back championship titles bookending a dramatic Munster final penalty shootout win over Dingle last winter.

Central to all of the success were the Hurley brothers, Brian, a previous winner in this prestigious monthly award scheme, and his brother Michael, who has played a huge part in the forward line. Last year Michael scored five points in the 0-11 to 0-9 final win over Nemo Rangers, to bring his tally to 0-18 for the season. 

A year on after a season of niggling injuries, he stood tall again landing four points from open play as this time the Haven ran out 0-16 to 0-11 victors.

Hurley was feted in the company of family, club members and invited guests at last week's celebration lunch at Rochestown Park Hotel.

It was time to reflect on a season that ensured that the Andy Scannell Cup stayed in familiar surroundings. but the club's grip on provisional silverware slipped away following their recent trip to Killarney.

"Yes overall it is an amazing achievement for us to get back-to-back titles. It's very hard to retain the championship in Cork as it is so competitive. We are all fairly proud of what has been achieved.

"The objective from day one was to lessen the load and make it straight through to the semi-finals. I think after the second group game, we realised that we were on track for that if we could win our last game in the round-robin section. 

"Three wins allowed us to have a small break before the knockout stages. We were motoring well all season which was pleasing. Unlike last year when we came in under the radar, there was a lot of talk about us this time around. 

It was satisfying to succeed when we were in the spotlight.

"Unfortunately I had picked up a few injuries at the start of the year, which meant I actually didn't play much in the group stages. There was enough confidence in our player group that we would get through the early phase and I was always aiming to be sharp for the latter stages."

Wins over St Finbarr's and Nemo Rangers at the business end of the championship made the season particularly significant for all in the Haven camp.

"It was impressive as we had some amazing battles with them both over the past few years. This year I suppose was probably the first year that we had a small bit of a cushion during the closing minutes.

"Against the Barrs, it's normally extra time (and penalties) and against Nemo it has been always right down to the wire. I think our performances this season are testament to the work we have done in training and this has been building for a few years. 

SEAMLESS

"The transition under Seanie Cahalane has been seamless since he took over as manager. He had a really hard task, after we had won both the country and provincial titles, in what was really his first big job. He has huge respect from the players - his man management is brilliant"

In reviewing the defeat by Dr Crokes in the provincial campaign, Michael feels the loss of a few key players though injury was a pivotal factor.

"Rory and Damien were huge losses - nobody panicked before the game, but looking back Rory was a very big miss as he had been with us all the way. Unfortunately, Damien had already been out with injury earlier also. 

"When you look back at the four All-Ireland semi-finalists from last year, it's some consolation to us that we were the only one of them to actually be involved at provincial level this year."

Hurley will now join his fellow monthly winners at the gala banquet of honour all 2024 recipients in late January.

After that thoughts will turn to a potential three in a row, which would be new ground even for the mighty Haven