Forristal foresees bright future for hurling in Clon

Experienced: The Forristal brothers, Jimmy and John Paul.

BY JOHN MURPHY

PREPARATIONS have gone well within the Clonakilty camp with no injuries reported as they gear up for Sunday’s South West Cork JAHC showdown, but their longest-serving team member, Jimmy Forristal, is well aware of the serious challenge that Mathúnas will present.

38-year-old optician Jimmy, who together with younger brother John Paul, a member of the successful 2012 team also, are loyal and committed Clonakilty hurling servants.

Jimmy will bring his foresight and vision – pardon the pun – to bear as he attempts to gun down the opposition on Sunday.

He has been there, down that, a member of both the 2004 and 2012 winning teams. However, it was the one that got away – against Bandon’s second team in 2009 when Clonakilty were beaten by just a point – that frustrates somewhat, so he is hoping that everything goes to plan and he pockets an elusive third South West JAHC medal.

But the Clonakilty stalwart cautions on the fact that this final may be a little premature for their many young players, as Clon will field probably five or six minors on their side.

‘When I started out some of the best players I played with had possibly a greater interest in football,’ Jimmy said.

‘That has all changed and in the past eight or nine years the young lads have really come on board with hurling as well. Of course we have a huge football game coming up (against Aghada) and with both types of training going on, it is a bit tricky to combine the two codes at times.

‘Maybe the final is coming a year too soon for these lads, they being so young, but certainly in the next four to five years we should be well able to compete,’ he added.

Experienced: The Forristal brothers, Jimmy and John Paul.

BY JOHN MURPHY

PREPARATIONS have gone well within the Clonakilty camp with no injuries reported as they gear up for Sunday’s South West Cork JAHC showdown, but their longest-serving team member, Jimmy Forristal, is well aware of the serious challenge that Mathúnas will present.

38-year-old optician Jimmy, who together with younger brother John Paul, a member of the successful 2012 team also, are loyal and committed Clonakilty hurling servants.

Jimmy will bring his foresight and vision – pardon the pun – to bear as he attempts to gun down the opposition on Sunday.

He has been there, down that, a member of both the 2004 and 2012 winning teams. However, it was the one that got away – against Bandon’s second team in 2009 when Clonakilty were beaten by just a point – that frustrates somewhat, so he is hoping that everything goes to plan and he pockets an elusive third South West JAHC medal.

But the Clonakilty stalwart cautions on the fact that this final may be a little premature for their many young players, as Clon will field probably five or six minors on their side.

‘When I started out some of the best players I played with had possibly a greater interest in football,’ Jimmy said.

‘That has all changed and in the past eight or nine years the young lads have really come on board with hurling as well. Of course we have a huge football game coming up (against Aghada) and with both types of training going on, it is a bit tricky to combine the two codes at times.

‘Maybe the final is coming a year too soon for these lads, they being so young, but certainly in the next four to five years we should be well able to compete,’ he added.