TALKING POINTS: Kilbrittain's Munster success a boost to hurling in Carbery

HISTORY-MAKERS

On the weekend that Carbery GAA celebrated its centenary year with a show-stopping gala ball held in Bantry, Kilbrittain became the first club from the region to win this club hurling provincial title. More history on an already-special weekend. Kilbrittain took their first-ever Munster campaign in their stride, and have shown the rest of the clubs in West Cork that this is the bar they can reach if the work is put in. This triumph, along with their county championship success, can be traced back to years of dedication, hard work, and also a resolve to keep going. Joe Ryan’s side also became the ninth Cork winner in the last ten Munster junior hurling championship campaigns.

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MAGIC MARK

The crucial goal that Mark Hickey converted at the early stages of the second half of the Munster final is an indicator of the type of player he has been all year: clutch. A game high of 1-9 was his overall tally in the provincial decider, more than Kilrossanty’s total, taking his personal championship score to 1-56 this year. The timing of Hickey’s goal was huge too, as Kilrossanty, for the first time in the encounter, started to gain a bit of momentum and had closed the gap to five points. Hickey has been on fire for the county champions, his scoring prowess giving his teammates the lift to drive on and get over the line. A player for the big occasion.

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ALL-IRELAND RUN?

The West Cork team is one of five sides left in contention for All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship glory. The Black and Amber face the winners of the Leinster final this Sunday (1.30pm) between Clane of Kildare and Davidstown Courtnacuddy of Wexford in Hawkfield. The All-Ireland semi-final takes place on the weekend of December 20th/21st, less than a week before Christmas. The other side of the draw contains Easkey of Sligo and Burt of Donegal. This is a marvelous opportunity for Kilbrittain to create more history, considering Cork clubs’ record in the competition. Kilbrittain have won every championship game so far this year and will hope that momentum can take them to an All-Ireland win in the new year.