Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan. Captain Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan.
BY JOHN MURPHY
CAPTAIN Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathúnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan.
Back in 2012 Murphy made an appearance off the bench against Dohenys in that scintillating showdown that went to extra-time, but this time the versatile clubman, who also has family back-up in the shape of brother Denis, is determined to lead by example as team skipper in the decider.
‘We will have five or six minors probably starting on Sunday, Alan Murphy said.
‘It will be the ultimate test for these lads against Mathúnas who are tough and experienced opposition.
‘It’s a great honour to be selected as captain, but it carries with it a special responsibility. A victory would be invaluable, given that we still have to face the biggest football game the club has experienced in recent years, and this team has several dual players involved.
‘It would be a huge confidence shot in the arm and hopefully inspire our football colleagues to replicate it. But it will not come easy, Mathúnas are in there on merit and we have to really to pull out the stops to beat them,’ a cautious captain warned.
Timoleague native Seamus O’Brien could initially be considered a blow-in, but having been domiciled in Clonakilty for almost 30 years, he is very much one of their own at this stage, being a hurling selector back in 2004 when Clonakilty beat Newcestown.
It is a case of if you require a job done, ask a busy man. Seamus is just that, directing a successful accountancy business in the Brewery Town, yet finds time to act as current club chairman and is manager of the junior A hurling team.
Son James is also in the mix tying down two half-back positions in their three championship matches to date, versatility the name of the game.
‘Last year we were very unlucky, being beaten by Newcestown, but this year, thank God, we are back in the final and relishing the challenge,’ Seamus O’Brien said.
‘We have a nice mix of youth and experience in our team. Regarding the latter our possible full-forward lineout could be Timmy Anglin, Pa O’Regan and Jimmy Forristal, collectively clocking up over 100 years in total, so we certainly are well endowed experience-wise in that particular department.
‘Another player back in the squad is Tony Anglin, 35 years of age, who was out injured, while at the other end of the spectrum our goalkeeper is only 17 years.’
O’Brien feels it is a positive scenario with pressure on all concerned to perform and earn a place in the starting line-up.
‘It is great really. What it has done is that it builds pressure both ways,’ O’Brien explained.
‘The younger lads are trying to keep the older lads on their toes, while the experienced players are aware that they will be no easy places on the team up for grabs. It is all about competition and it’s a good complaint to have.’
O’Brien is taking nothing for granted, knowing that Mathúnas will pose a huge obstacle to pass on Sunday.
‘We are well aware that Mathúnas are capable of beating any team on their day. They are coming into form at the right time and will be eager to put that disappointing loss (against Newcestown) in last year’s final behind them. Only a top-class display by us will suffice,’ commented the Clonakilty manager.
BY JOHN MURPHY
CAPTAIN Alan Murphy deems it a great honour to lead Clonakilty hurlers into battle on Sunday against great rivals Mathúnas as they attempt to regain Flyer Nyhan.
Back in 2012 Murphy made an appearance off the bench against Dohenys in that scintillating showdown that went to extra-time, but this time the versatile clubman, who also has family back-up in the shape of brother Denis, is determined to lead by example as team skipper in the decider.
‘We will have five or six minors probably starting on Sunday, Alan Murphy said.
‘It will be the ultimate test for these lads against Mathúnas who are tough and experienced opposition.
‘It’s a great honour to be selected as captain, but it carries with it a special responsibility. A victory would be invaluable, given that we still have to face the biggest football game the club has experienced in recent years, and this team has several dual players involved.
‘It would be a huge confidence shot in the arm and hopefully inspire our football colleagues to replicate it. But it will not come easy, Mathúnas are in there on merit and we have to really to pull out the stops to beat them,’ a cautious captain warned.
Timoleague native Seamus O’Brien could initially be considered a blow-in, but having been domiciled in Clonakilty for almost 30 years, he is very much one of their own at this stage, being a hurling selector back in 2004 when Clonakilty beat Newcestown.
It is a case of if you require a job done, ask a busy man. Seamus is just that, directing a successful accountancy business in the Brewery Town, yet finds time to act as current club chairman and is manager of the junior A hurling team.
Son James is also in the mix tying down two half-back positions in their three championship matches to date, versatility the name of the game.
‘Last year we were very unlucky, being beaten by Newcestown, but this year, thank God, we are back in the final and relishing the challenge,’ Seamus O’Brien said.
‘We have a nice mix of youth and experience in our team. Regarding the latter our possible full-forward lineout could be Timmy Anglin, Pa O’Regan and Jimmy Forristal, collectively clocking up over 100 years in total, so we certainly are well endowed experience-wise in that particular department.
‘Another player back in the squad is Tony Anglin, 35 years of age, who was out injured, while at the other end of the spectrum our goalkeeper is only 17 years.’
O’Brien feels it is a positive scenario with pressure on all concerned to perform and earn a place in the starting line-up.
‘It is great really. What it has done is that it builds pressure both ways,’ O’Brien explained.
‘The younger lads are trying to keep the older lads on their toes, while the experienced players are aware that they will be no easy places on the team up for grabs. It is all about competition and it’s a good complaint to have.’
O’Brien is taking nothing for granted, knowing that Mathúnas will pose a huge obstacle to pass on Sunday.
‘We are well aware that Mathúnas are capable of beating any team on their day. They are coming into form at the right time and will be eager to put that disappointing loss (against Newcestown) in last year’s final behind them. Only a top-class display by us will suffice,’ commented the Clonakilty manager.
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