Kanturk coach Fergus Ryan: 'We weren't here to make up numbers — we came to take out the champions'

Kanturk produced one of the most significant victories in their hurling history on Sunday afternoon, dethroning county champions Sarsfields in a pulsating Co‑Op SuperStores Premier SHC quarter-final in Mallow.

Their 4-19 to 1-25 triumph, built on four brilliantly taken goals and a ferocious work-rate, sends the Duhallow club into a first ever Premier Senior semi-final — a milestone moment for a team whose upward curve shows no sign of slowing.

They will face St Finbarr’s in the last four.

For coach Fergus Ryan, the scale of the achievement was unmistakable.

“It’s up there with Kanturk’s greatest ever hurling wins,” he said post-match.

“It’s our first time getting to a Premier Senior semi-final. A lot of people around the county were saying we’d played our quarter-final against Blackrock two weeks ago — but that was never the case for this group.

“I know the men I have inside there. We have a very ambitious group. We respect every single team we play, but we felt that if we played like we played against Blackrock, we’d be very hard to beat.” 

Sarsfields, chasing back-to-back titles, pushed Kanturk to the limit. Their trademark running game and sharp shooting kept them in the hunt throughout, even as injuries disrupted their rhythm.

“They’ve been the benchmark for the last couple of years,” Ryan says.

“Their ability to work the ball through the hand, some of their shooting in the second half — outstanding. They put us under savage pressure at times.

“Ultimately, when you boil the game down, goals won it. We got four, and it was about trying to keep them out the other side.

“They have quality forwards — Barry O’Flynn, every time he got the ball my heart was in my mouth. Very exciting young player. The height of James Sweeney, the movement of Daniel Hogan, Jack O’Connor — they’re a fantastic team.” 

Kanturk’s early goals gave them the foothold they needed. Two in the first quarter was key. Ryan knew a strong start was crucial. 

“We didn’t get a goal after a minute like we did against Blackrock, but we got two in the first 15 minutes. It gave us confidence, gave us a cushion, and we kept the scoreboard ticking over. Four points up at half-time.

“There was a bit of a breeze, but the breeze wasn’t going to win anything for anyone.

“People think we’re a one-trick pony, that we go long with everything, but we have very athletic players. They play football, and the football definitely stands to their hurling — coming off the shoulder, making the movement.

“Even in the closing stages, every time Sars got a point, we’d get a point. We answered every score.” 

The dual commitments remain relentless. Kanturk have a McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC quarter-final against Kilshannig next weekend. The Duhallow side are well used to it at this stage.

“We hardly did anything this week — puck around Wednesday, puck around Friday. We’re very lucky to have Barry Young doing video analysis. We picked out stuff from the Blackrock game, really went after Sars in our video analysis as well, looking for small margins.

“We’re a dual club. I’m never going to blame football. We share players, and it’s mighty. It’s a massive week ahead. Winning papers over all the cracks and all the injuries.

“We’ll be in Ballyhass tomorrow night for recovery. Let the lads enjoy a few pints this evening — well deserved. Then we’ll turn the dial for the semi-final. We’re going to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. These are the days you dream of. I’m just so proud of the lads.”