Kilshannig hurlers look to draw on footballing success

Having got up and running with a north Cork derby win over Clyda Rovers in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC last week, Kilshannig will turn their attentions to a new hurling frontier.

Last year’s junior A champions open their Co-op SuperStores Premier JHC campaign on Saturday in Glanworth against Nemo Rangers. Having reached the county final in 2022, losing to Erin’s Own after a replay, it took three years to win another divisional title but having achieved that, they went all the way, seeing off Ballinora in the decider.

For Jack Kearney, there was relief in getting over the line.

“I suppose 2022, the day here and obviously the replay in Páirc Uí Rinn, we felt we should have won on both days,” he says.

“It kind of really did leave a sour taste in the mouth after the year after going so far, especially after extra time in the replay.

“Junior A is, I think personally from playing in it, the hardest one to win, even North Cork itself is a very tough championship to come out of.

“There's always five, six teams that can win that in any given year, so to come out of that alone is a great achievement.

“After winning it in 2022 and to win it again last year, we always knew that there had to be a higher goal to go out and actually win the county. I do think winning the North Cork last year really did propel us on again last year, so we were delighted to finally get over the line.”

Having enjoyed success in football – county wins in junior A in 2019, intermediate A in 2022 and premier intermediate in 2024 – helped in the hurling and now Kearney hopes that not having to negotiate a divisional championship can stand to them as they gear up for premier junior.

“We've been lucky enough that the core group of players that we have, they're very used to playing in finals,” he says.

“The crossover between both codes definitely helps in that regard – a lot of the fellas are well used to playing up here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as well. I think that definitely helped us out.

“This year, it's a bit more structured, which definitely helps in terms of planning and stuff and obviously we're lucky enough with the two management teams that we have, where the balance is pretty good.”