John O'Callaghan proud as battling qualities stand to Seandún once more

Whatever happens in the final of the Co-op SuperStores Divisions/Colleges Hurling Championship, Seandún will continue to possess a particular unbeaten record.

With the city divisional side getting the better of Muskerry after extra time on Sunday, it remains the case that they have not to anyone other than Imokilly in the championship since a defeat to UCC in 2009.

Statistics can be misleading and this one certainly is – between 2010 and the current campaign, the only time Seandún have participated was in 2021, when they beat Muskerry to reach the final against Imokilly – but there is no ambiguity about how they have earned their place in this year’s decider.

Back in June, they showed good staying power to beat Carbery in extra time after the south-west side had drawn level late in the game and it was similar on Sunday. While a six-point lead early in the second half was whittled down as Muskerry battled back, Seandún regrouped and came out with the win on a scoreline of 1-30 to 0-32.

Seandún manager John O’Callaghan was proud of the battling qualities shown by his team.

“Absolutely, yeah, it was outstanding to be fair to all of them.

“The preparations have been very bad all along, but we came here with this team and they have unbelievable heart. This team is never beat.

“We did it the hard way against Carbery the last night and we came out here and did the same thing today.

“We’re delighted and it was a great game, in fairness. It was a great advertisement for the divisions and for senior hurling – what else would you want on a day like today, with the sun shining?

“Both teams went at it and we just got out of there with the win.”

Leading by 0-12 to 0-8 after a good finish to the first half, Seandún extended that lead with the first two points of the second half as Muskerry failed to harness the wind at their backs.

Was O’Callaghan concerned that the mid-Cork team had the momentum after they eventually reeled Seandún in?

“Yeah, but we knew our lads,” he said.

“We had done the same thing against Carbery in the previous round – we had that game won and we let them back in it and this was similar.

“Look, fair play to Muskerry, they have some lovely hurlers, great hurlers out there. We just got into it and we had the legs there at the end.

“We made a few changes, we were starting a new game again and we were able to bring fellas back on after having a rest.”

A goal from a penalty by Jamie Hegarty was key in extra time, while Blake Murphy and Thomas O’Neill also shone as Seandún got back on top.

They will face a major challenge against Imokilly at the end of the month – not least as there will be little chance to convene – but the key fact is that they are there.

“We only had one training session coming into this, last Wednesday night,” said O’Callaghan.

“We'll go back now and we'll talk to the lads involved in the clubs and see how we can may get a training session it but it’s hard.

“In fairness to the lads, they’re after buying into it, they’re mad for it. We said to them that they have an opportunity to play senior hurling and they’re after buying into it, so we’re very happy.”