Killian O'Hanlon on Kilshannig's PIFC success in 2024 and hopes for this year

Kilshannig’s upward trajectory continued last year as they moved up the ladder once more. 

The Glantane-based outfit were a Junior A side in 2019, but this year they are up in the Senior A ranks after winning the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC last year after a replay win over Aghabullogue in the final. That followed County JAFC success in 2019 and IAFC glory three years later.

It has all come together for the team in blue and gold with Killian O’Hanlon a key player on the team.

“It was a fairytale ending really to 2024,” the former Cork footballer says.

“It was special to be part of a group that took Kilshannig back up senior for the first time in 30 odd years. It was a great feeling. Being one of the older statesmen too, you appreciate the good days a lot more.

“My first couple of years on the panel, we were struggling at Junior A level in Avondhu. We have been lucky over the last number of years, we have won three counties, in 2019, 2022 and last year. Having gone through the dark days, you do appreciate the good days.” 

Why did it all come together for Kilshannig last year?

“A few reasons to be honest,” O’Hanlon said.

“We lost a few lads to injuries and travelling from the 2023 panel, so we came into last year not knowing where we were at to be honest. Even in the springtime, we had a good share of injuries and only barely stayed up in the Division 3 league.

“We did blood a few new lads in the league and we had a new management, so it was going to take time. We were very well drilled and organised and Denis Reen added a bit of steel into us. We had a game plan that we were working on all year and it came right come championship time.

“We also had fierce competition for places, lads really stepped up. We never had a settled team. There were nearly three or four changes between the drawn game and the replay in the final. It showed the level that we were training at and we got a bit of luck along the way too.

“We looked gone in the semi-final against Iveleary and even in the final against Aghabullogue first day out. We never gave in and showed character. Getting over the line was a relief.” 

In the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC later this year, Kilshannig will meet Newmarket, Kanturk and Éire Óg in the group stage. 

Before that, they are ticking along nicely in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 3 Football League with three points from the first two games. They meet Naomh Abán on Sunday in Ballyvourney at 11.30am.

“We want to get out of Division 3 to be honest. The higher league you are in, the better. We started slowly last year, so that’s something we have worked on at the start of this year.

“Then the championship, it’s a tough group. There is no easy game. Senior A is a grade where any team can beat anyone. It’s very competitive. 

"We would have played Newmarket and Kanturk in challenge games in the past, but would have never played Éire Óg in my playing career. We are going into the unknown to a certain degree, but it’s exciting at the same time.

“We have Newmarket first, so we will be really going after that. I do think the sky's the limit for us. We have been lucky that we have kept the group together and if we can continue to improve, hopefully we can land another county in the next few years. The ultimate goal is of course to get up to Premier Senior.”