No stone unturned as Blarney readies for Rebels clash

The 1884-founded GAA club, one of Ireland’s oldest, has three players on the Cork senior hurling squad — Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Paudie Power

The Whelan family - Maeve, 10, Karen, John, and Darragh, 11, at Blarney GAA Club. Picture: Chani Anderson

It's known the world over for its link to the gift of the gab, but the only talk in Blarney village is how to get tickets to Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final.

Not surprising given its 1884-founded GAA club, one of Ireland’s oldest, has three players on the Cork senior hurling squad — Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Paudie Power — all of whom were on the pitch at the final whistle following their epic semi-final win over Limerick, ending the Shannonsiders' drive-for-five.

Blarney GAA members at the Cúl Camp at the club shout in support of the three Blarney players on the Cork hurling squad for the All-Ireland Final on Sunday.

Days later, more 30 volunteers from Blarney GAA Club were out festooning the village with red and white bunting.

The excitement that has been building since was palpable on Tuesday on the club’s main pitch, a stone’s throw from Blarney Castle, where some 240 children were practising their jab lifts and ground strokes on day two of their 2024 Cúl Camp.

Camp coordinator Karen Whelan said: “Normally when you look out at the pitch you see a sea of Cúl Camp gear but this year, there’s more red and white, which is fabulous.

"The kids are really keyed up. They see Mark, Shane and Padraig around here, they would have all done Cúl Camp coaching over the years. The older kids here this year would definitely remember Padraig coaching a few years ago.

“But the kids who come down to watch the club’s senior hurling team train, meet them around here and the lads are fantastic, they will always stop and have a few words. They’re great young fellas.” 

Maeve Whelan, Hannah Kennedy and Emma Ryan practising their skills at Blarney GAA Club's Cúl Camp. 

Club stalwart Martin Lynch, who has been involved in the club since the early 1960s, remembers the three lads growing up.

“They all had skill but the work they put in behind the scenes themselves is unreal,” he said.

“They’re in the gym early in the morning or late at night, or out there in the field practising when no one else is out there, and few people see that.

Each of three is one nicer than the other and they will do anything for us in the club, even though they are very busy, they are excellent ambassadors for their families, for their club and for the parish.

Olan Hegarty, one of the Cúl Camp’s 20-plus coaches, plays midfield on the Blarney senior hurling team alongside the trio.

“They are so professional,” he said.

Blarney GAA Cúl Camp organisers Karen Whelan, Olan Hegarty and Johanne Kiely.

“You miss them for most of the year but when they come in after Cork, they bring a new energy to it. They lift everyone around them. When you see their standard, you do try to up your standard as well.” 

He reckons the Cork senior hurlers have one more massive performance to give in this year’s championship.

“I think they owe one back on Clare for 2013. And they owe it to themselves too after the last final against Limerick. I don’t think they showed how good they are,” he said.

“I think if they come with the performance they’re capable of, and we have seen that against Limerick twice, and Tipperary, they should get over the line.” 

Club president PJ Sheehan has been a lifelong member of Blarney GAA Club.son

Club president PJ Sheehan, 87, who hurled with the club through the 1970s, and helped spearhead its revival in the early 80s alongside Mr Lynch, Pat Kelleher, Pat Harrington and Ted Sheehan, agrees.

As he watched the next generation of Blarney hurlers hone their skills, he said his one worry this Sunday was Clare talisman Tony Kelly.

While earliest records show hurling was being played in the fields around Blarney in the 17th century, the next storied chapter will be written on Sunday.