Nicky Kelly is one of the greatest players Mayfield GAA Club has ever produced

Mayfield GAA club are now entering their 132 year of competing in Cork GAA, and over many decades the club have produced quality players like Sean Lucey (RIP), Jimmy Nodwell and Jim Atkins to name a few of the stars.

In recent years, one name that regularly pops up when the club is mentioned is the multi-talented Nicky Kelly.

Kelly has led the way for Mayfield for over a decade and his performances and scoring feats are legendary at this stage.

Here the 32-year-old reflected on his happy and long association with the club.

“I was a raw six-year-old and I had Donie Goulding and Declan McNulty as my first coaches and back in the day like the majority of clubs street leagues got the numbers joining,” Kelly said.

Indeed, growing up Nicky was fortunate to win U14 and U16 county medals with Mayfield, beating Killeagh and Kilbrittain in those finals.

“Those teams proved crucial to us as we got a number of players like Gary Lehane, David Malone, Shane O’Donovan and Kevin Punch as we all eventually played with the leading team in the club,” Kelly added.

Outside of that team, Nicky’s brother Shane was also involved with a talented team that included Richard O’Keeffe, Ian Looney and Patrick Duggan and between those squads they proved very valuable players for the club going forward.

“It was amazing really as between the two teams we got a good number of quality players and that was unusual as you would be grateful on many occasions to get two or three players that are good enough to take the big step.” 

When Nicky began playing with Mayfield in the Seandun division they won the city title in 2010 and 2011 but they were denied by their close neighbours Brian Dillons for completing three in a row in 2012.

“We lost to Meelin in the county in 2010 but they went on to win the All-Ireland and we lost to Charleville after a replay in 2011 and we know the progress they have made to premier senior hurling.

“If we had made the break though during those years, I think we would have progressed as we were all in the right age group, but we fell short until 2016.” 

The year of 2016 into February 2017 will long live the minds of the Mayfield faithful.

“To win the city and Munster championships was incredible and then to defeat Mooncoin of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Junior final was off the charts and we certainly enjoyed our day in Croke Park.

“Winning a final of that standard was incredible and for me to score the winning point with the guys I grew up with was special and it was also a day to savour for my family.

“Looking back we hadn’t won the county since 1978 and after defeating Brian Dillon’s in the city final and beating a super Sarsfields side in the county final was unprecedented in that year.” 

Winning finals wasn’t always one that made Nicky a happy camper.

“I lost the Fitzgibbon Cup final after extra time with CIT by one point and then I was part of the CIT team that lost to Carrigtwohill in the 2011 final and both defeats were hard to take.” 

So, the question that many Cork GAA Pundits would ask why Mayfield haven’t kicked on in the Intermediate grade?

“I suppose we lost key players and then there was a time where we hadn’t an U21 club side for three years and that really affected us.

“On the other side of the coin since when we came up we got to four intermediate county semi finals losing to Ballincollig, Aghada, Sarsfields and Aghabullogue.

“We just couldn’t get over the line as maybe we were short a couple of players but it was wasn’t from lack of trying by the squad or management.” 

Nicky believes the Graw for hurling is no longer with the youth in Mayfield.

“I can only speak for Mayfield and for me witnessing young lads going out with their hurleys for a puck around looks be a thing of the past.” 

In October 2023, Nicky lost his mother Mary, a month and a year he will never forget.

“My mother passed away two days after we lost to Aghabullogue in the final and her last wish was to see that game and mainly through the kindness of Derek Connolly at Pairc Ui Rinn, our car was allowed in so she could take in the game.

“That was a tough time for my Dad, Jim and brother, Shane, but my mam had great heart and spirit and her motto was always be proud of where you come from and for me, playing with Mayfield has always been an honour, and I will keep going as long as my body will allow me.”