Paul Walsh: Kanturk determined to make this opportunity count against Éire Óg

Kanturk captain Paul Walsh believes a clean bill of health and the resilience that has become synonymous with the Duhallow club have been key factors in their passage to the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC final.

The Cork footballer will lead his side into Sunday's decider against Éire Óg at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (2pm), with Kanturk aiming to become a dual Premier Senior club in 2027.

Having fallen short in the knockout stages in recent years against eventual champions, Walsh feels Kanturk have learned valuable lessons from those disappointments and are now determined to seize their chance on the biggest stage.

"Looking forward to Sunday," Walsh says.

"It's been a long, tough year but an enjoyable one all the same. Where else would you rather be than down the Páirc on county final day? We can't wait to get stuck in."

Kanturk's journey to the final was epitomised by their dramatic semi-final victory over Carbery Rangers after extra time. Trailing late on, they dug deep once again to produce the scores required and secure their place in the decider.

That refusal to accept defeat has become a hallmark of the team's character.

"It probably is a common trait across this Kanturk team over the last couple of years," Walsh said.

"There's a never-say-die attitude there, which is a good thing to have. We showed it again against Carbery Rangers.

"We knew exactly the calibre of team we were facing. They came down from Premier Senior last year and they're a great side. 

"It was a fierce battle and maybe we got the rub of the green a bit more than they did, but with two or three minutes to go we just managed to find another kick in ourselves.

"It was a great game to be involved in and even better to come out on top."

The victory continued an encouraging trend for Kanturk, who have repeatedly gone toe-to-toe with the competition's strongest teams in recent seasons.

Walsh pointed out that many of their previous championship exits came against eventual champions, Newcestown, Carrigaline and Knocknagree.

"When you look back, we've lost to the eventual winners three years in a row," he states.

"One was after extra time and two were after penalties. But we don't have any complaints. We knew ourselves that maybe we didn't quite have enough in the tank on those occasions.

"This year we've put absolutely everything into it and now we're just looking forward to Sunday and hopefully producing our best performance.” 

Asked what has been different this season, Walsh immediately highlighted the availability within the squad.

While dual commitments continue to place considerable demands on the group, injuries have not been the issue they were during previous campaigns.

"It's hard to put your finger on one thing but the biggest difference is probably that we've had a full bill of health.

"Everyone has been available all year. In other years we might have been carrying injuries or lads wouldn't have been fully fit.

"Once the championship started, everyone was available and everyone was putting their shoulder to the wheel. That's definitely been a huge help."

Walsh explained that, due to competing at a higher level in hurling, Kanturk's training schedule occasionally leans slightly towards the small ball game.

"Hurling probably gets an extra session every now and again because of the grade we're playing at, but that was a collective decision rather than something driven by management or players.

"We have a great group of lads. Whatever is asked of them, they throw themselves into it. The commitment throughout the group has been brilliant."

Turning his attention to Éire Óg, Walsh has been impressed by what he has seen from the Muskerry outfit throughout the campaign.

"Even watching back a few of their games, they're very strong around the middle, as you know yourself," Walsh said.

"They have big men who can do damage in the air, a good goalkeeper and a solid defence.

"Their defence is probably their biggest strength. They don't leak many scores and they're very calculated in what they do. They're a well-drilled team.

"You don't get to a county final by fluke. They've been one of the form teams all year and probably the form team in the championship.

"They came through a really tough semi-final against Cill na Martra and were probably the stronger side towards the end of extra time.

"They're a serious outfit with some great players, so we'll have to be at our very best if we're going to get the better of them."