SAHC final: Jack Barry not surprised by Castlelyons' progress

It has been a long and winding road for Castlelyons, but this weekend they could return to the top-tier of Cork hurling. 

They face fellow Imokilly side Bride Rovers on Saturday in the Co-Op SuperStores SAHC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with throw-in at 7.30pm.

Castlelyons suffered demotion from the top-flight in 2009 and had to endure a period in the doldrums. This Saturday, they are also chasing a second county title in three seasons after winning the PIHC crown in 2023.

Goalkeeper Jack Barry made his debut for Castlelyons a decade ago. He knows all about the pain of losing and also the ecstasy of winning.

“It’s great to be back in a county final again,” he says to The Echo.

“We were unlucky for a number of seasons at the Premier Intermediate grade. We might have thought our chance was gone. It was great to finally get over the line in 2023.

“It was a huge relief. We're absolutely delighted and thrilled to be in the Senior A decider. We have a very committed group and there’s very, very good leaders.

“I suppose we’re all around the same age now and things like that, all working and not too many lads in college. Hurling is what we live for really.

“I suppose we were nearly men for a long time. We were kind of young and the squad in general was fairly young. We mightn’t have had too many experienced players and one or two injuries to key players during those years might have hampered us a small bit.

“Look, I think we’re maturing a small bit now and that’s definitely helping us. Winning the Premier Intermediate two years ago has lifted a huge weight off our shoulders. We have felt that there’s less pressure on us these days.” 

Despite injuries during the group stage, Castlelyons won all three of their group games to seal a direct route to the last four this year. They beat Blarney two weeks ago, 4-12 to 0-19.

“The four-week break between the group stage and the semi-final was ideal to mend the bodies,” the Castlelyons netminder said.

"Unfortunately, when you get an injury, you don’t normally like to see a player injured, but it actually gives another player a chance to step up.

“There are fellas that are chomping at the bit to get a go and maybe it takes a fella to get an injury or maybe if he goes off travelling for some of those fringe players to get a chance.

“A lot of them have taken their chance with two hands. Look, it’s great and it freshens things up a bit too for other fellas. When it’s their first year or two playing, they’re really, really mad for it.

“We’re not blessed with big numbers here in Castlelyons. We don’t have 50 or 60 lads going out training but in fairness to the club, what we bring through is a lot of quality. We’re definitely making the most of what we have.” 

The Castlelyons coach is Noel Furlong, the current Cork U20 hurling boss. He was absent for the first few months of the season earlier this year for Castlelyons. Not ideal but there's an understanding there.

“Noel is a serious operator. His record speaks for itself. When he was with the Cork U20s at the start of the year, we did a bit of training there with Ciarán McGann. It just brought new freshness and a new voice for a period. When Noel did come back, fellas were ready and really knuckled down again.” 

Standing in the way of Premier Senior hurling for Castlelyons are Bride Rovers. Both teams know each other inside out.

“From our own point of view, we just have to go out there and give it everything. 

“It’s a local derby, anything can happen. A lot of local derbies, they always end up being tight games. So look, hopefully we can come out on the right side.

“It’s just about getting your body right now, getting the mind right and focusing on bringing your best performance possible.” Barry concluded.