If Mathnas succeed in lifting the Flyer Nyhan Cup on Sunday for an incredible sixth time inside the last 14 years, then somebody might well suggest a statue be erected in Castletownkenneigh
BY JOHN MURPHY
IF Mathúnas succeed in lifting the Flyer Nyhan Cup on Sunday for an incredible sixth time inside the last 14 years, then somebody might well suggest a statue be erected in Castletownkenneigh in honour of John Paul O’Callaghan.
Trawling through the records we discover he won the man-of-the match award way back in 2001, when Mathúnas beat Ballinascarthy after a replay to annex their very first South West junior A hurling title, so he has been ever present in all their triumphs.
O’Callaghan is anxious to erase last year’s disappointing South West JAHC final defeat by turning in a good performance against Clonakilty in this Sunday’s final.
‘We did not do ourselves justice in last year’s final (against Newcestown),’ the Mathúnas ace said.
‘Saying that we were a very young team, but this year these lads have matured, become more physical and it is a great to be still involved with them.’
O’Callaghan added: ‘We have improved overall, but Clonakilty will pose a major obstacle. We had some great battles with Clonakilty in the last few years. They have generally come out on top, but it is all about form on the day and all going well we hope to do the business on Sunday.’
Kevin O’Donovan, who skippered the winning county minor Carbery hurling team last year, has come on in leaps and bounds, and is a huge plus for the team. He has made the right corner forward position his own. The 19-year-old, a quiet and unassuming character who lets his hurling do the talking, feels they are in with a good chance this Sunday.
‘We gave away a good few frees (against Dohenys) and we need to work on this area because Clonakilty have the players to punish us on the scoreboard,’ O’Donovan said.
‘It will be a tough game in the final, but we are all looking forward to it. It’s great to be involved in the big day again,’ said O’Donovan, who will have 18-year-old brother Gearóid at corner back for company on the team.
Mathúnas team manager Kieran Fleming commented: ‘We did not perform on the day last year. We are hoping to rectify that on Sunday. A lot of our lads stood up to the plate against Dohenys last weekend, and they will have to do the same again against Clonakilty. Nothing less will suffice.’
Fleming knows that Clonakilty are geared up for this one and will be extremely difficult to overcome.
‘Clonakilty are an exceptionally talented team,’ he said.
‘They have had great success at underage in the last few years and it is bound to filter through to the junior team. They will be tough.’
The guiding lights on the sideline for Mathúnas are selectors Christy O’Leary, Mick Lordan, John Horgan and Mick Hennessy.
BY JOHN MURPHY
IF Mathúnas succeed in lifting the Flyer Nyhan Cup on Sunday for an incredible sixth time inside the last 14 years, then somebody might well suggest a statue be erected in Castletownkenneigh in honour of John Paul O’Callaghan.
Trawling through the records we discover he won the man-of-the match award way back in 2001, when Mathúnas beat Ballinascarthy after a replay to annex their very first South West junior A hurling title, so he has been ever present in all their triumphs.
O’Callaghan is anxious to erase last year’s disappointing South West JAHC final defeat by turning in a good performance against Clonakilty in this Sunday’s final.
‘We did not do ourselves justice in last year’s final (against Newcestown),’ the Mathúnas ace said.
‘Saying that we were a very young team, but this year these lads have matured, become more physical and it is a great to be still involved with them.’
O’Callaghan added: ‘We have improved overall, but Clonakilty will pose a major obstacle. We had some great battles with Clonakilty in the last few years. They have generally come out on top, but it is all about form on the day and all going well we hope to do the business on Sunday.’
Kevin O’Donovan, who skippered the winning county minor Carbery hurling team last year, has come on in leaps and bounds, and is a huge plus for the team. He has made the right corner forward position his own. The 19-year-old, a quiet and unassuming character who lets his hurling do the talking, feels they are in with a good chance this Sunday.
‘We gave away a good few frees (against Dohenys) and we need to work on this area because Clonakilty have the players to punish us on the scoreboard,’ O’Donovan said.
‘It will be a tough game in the final, but we are all looking forward to it. It’s great to be involved in the big day again,’ said O’Donovan, who will have 18-year-old brother Gearóid at corner back for company on the team.
Mathúnas team manager Kieran Fleming commented: ‘We did not perform on the day last year. We are hoping to rectify that on Sunday. A lot of our lads stood up to the plate against Dohenys last weekend, and they will have to do the same again against Clonakilty. Nothing less will suffice.’
Fleming knows that Clonakilty are geared up for this one and will be extremely difficult to overcome.
‘Clonakilty are an exceptionally talented team,’ he said.
‘They have had great success at underage in the last few years and it is bound to filter through to the junior team. They will be tough.’
The guiding lights on the sideline for Mathúnas are selectors Christy O’Leary, Mick Lordan, John Horgan and Mick Hennessy.
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