Cork native Brian Guerin on a year to remember in 2024

At the end of 2023, Brian Guerin had to make a difficult decision.

The Glantane native, who was an integral player for his beloved Kilshannig in both codes for many years, made the tough choice of transferring clubs. The 27-year-old has been living in Westmeath for the past number of years and teaches in Longford, so the travelling was beginning to take its toll.

Guerin couldn’t have asked for a better 2024 in many ways. He helped Brownstown win the Westmeath IHC final as they beat Southern Gaels 6-17 to 3-8. The Cork man scored an incredible 5-1, all from play from full-forward in the decider, having been named at midfield. 

It was made more remarkable given he was full-back for Kilshannig when they won the Cork County JAHC in 2022. The football club he plays for is Mullingar Shamrocks as Guerin played a part in them reaching the knockout stages of the Westmeath SFC. 

Guerin is currently on the Westmeath senior football panel and featured in midfield in a challenge game against Clare last weekend.

“From a personal decision, it was the best thing for me to transfer given the long travelling time,” he says.

“It was a very hard decision but I felt it was the right time. I had a great season last year. The standard in Westmeath in both codes is a high enough standard. Westmeath and Cork are both in Division 2 of the football league this year. I was a bit surprised to be honest, it’s nearly a professional set-up at club level up here, similar to home. You take it very seriously, it’s four, five nights a week.

“I knew what I was going into when I joined the clubs up here, Brownstown for the hurling and Mullingar Shamrocks for the football. The big difference up here is most players tend to stick with the one code. It was a change for me too because when I was with Kilshannig, it was hurling and football under the one umbrella. Alternating between the clubs last year was a challenge."

Guerin was unable to attend any of Kilshannig’s football matches in 2024 as they went all the way to Cork PIFC glory. He was an influential player on the team that won the County JAFC in 2019 and the IAFC in 2022.

“In the dressing room two years ago after losing to Bantry in the semi-final, it was a dark place,” he says.

“We were very close and also it turned out to be my last game for Kilshannig. That’s just the way it worked out. My highlight last year was Kilshannig winning the county despite winning a county myself in Westmeath and scoring a few goals. Nothing gave me greater joy than seeing the lads go on and win the Premier Intermediate football championship. They beat top teams on the way too.

“I know how much it means to the people of Kilshannig to win that silverware and get back up to the senior ranks. When I made the difficult decision to transfer, I knew they were going to do it eventually. I am obviously delighted that they achieved it so soon after."

PIFC winners have fared quite well in the grade above in the last few years. There’s no reason why Kilshannig can’t make a favourable impression this year. In their SAFC group, they will face Éire Óg, Kanturk and Newmarket.

“The first thing that the Kilshannig lads will have to do is adjust to the new rules and I actually think the new rules will suit the boys. You have the likes of Darragh O’Sullivan, Éanna O’Hanlon and Tom Cunningham in the forward line. The new rules will suit them down to the ground. 

"As you know, we play fast free-flowing football and we have played the championship opponents before, Newmarket and Kanturk anyway, maybe not Éire Óg. It’s a strong group but I know the lads will be aiming to win the county this year. That will be their goal.” 

The 27-year-old has passed on his well wishes to James O’Hanlon. The Kilshannig player was involved in a serious road collision last November. He’s recovering well at the moment.

“I would have won many titles with James at U21 level and all that. He was playing some super stuff last year and it was just unfortunate what happened. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he will be back on the pitch in the not too distant future.” Guerin concluded.