Sheehy confident Annascaul ready to grasp final chance
It’s the Kerry club’s first occasion competing at this level, and according to manager Dan Sheehy, it’s “virgin territory” for the West Kerry men.
“We’ve a couple of Kerry intermediate championship titles under out belt, but a Munster final is virgin territory,” said Sheehy.
“Playing in a Munster football final is something you would associate with county teams, but since it was first introduced for the clubs, it has been hugely successful. Kerry clubs have a good record in Munster and we hope to uphold that record tomorrow.
“Our team is a nice mixture of young and not so young. Several of our players have worn the county jersey over the years. We are playing good football and won’t have any fears going into Killarney tomorrow.
“At the beginning of the year, contesting a Munster final was the furthest thing from my mind. Talking with the lads involved with me, our first priority was to win promotion to Division One, which would give us senior status for 2008.
“We have just one league game to play now, against Castleisland Desmonds, where a draw would guarantee we’d be in the hat for the senior championship draw next year.
“Our toughest game was against Listowel in the county final. It was a tough physical contest but we managed to pull through. Anything after that was always going to be a bonus for us, but once we got the taste of victory, we wanted more.”
Dan has seen it all before. He spent 10 years in Boston playing football with Kerry, before moving on to New York where he played with Mayo, where he had Martin Kearney, Mickey Whelan and Micky Niblock as team-mates.
“I gained valuable experience and it stood me in good stead when I came back to Annascaul in 1976. I won my place on the team that summer through an unfortunate injury to one of our players and enjoyed my stay up to 1993 when I finally hung up my boots.”
Kerry All-Ireland winning captain of 1986 Tommy Doyle is probably Annascaul’s most famous son. Their present team includes Gene O’Farrell, Kieran O’Driscoll and Bingo O’Driscoll and Mark Moynihan, a Garda based in Kanturk.
“O’Farrell is a mighty man for his size. Gene is the perfect example of how players should look after themselves while playing. He watches his diet, doesn’t be out the night before a big game. He can turn on a sixpence and will be a key player for us.
“Niall Sheehy and Emmett Kennedy (a grand nephew of the legendary Paddy) are two other players who will be important against Mallow. Mark Moynihan is our only doubt. He is carrying an injury but we’ll give him every chance.
All the players mentioned have worn the county jersey in one grade or another, so we have a very experienced team which won’t be found wanting on the day.”
Three years ago the thickness of the crossbar denied Mallow a victory over Carbery in the Cork SFC semi-final, and the divisional side went on to win the county title. Two years later Mallow lost their senior status but won it back this year by beating neighbours Killavullen in the IFC final.
Ronan Sheehan is team coach and has worked the oracle for them. They possess one of the finest sports complexes in the country and a Munster title would be the icing on the cake.
Mallow play the running game style of football, have excellent players in goalkeeper Colman Sheehan, Pa Dineen, Noel Dinan, Cian O’Riordan and team captain Clive Kerrisk, but it will take a massive effort to deny Annascaul what would be a historic victory at the first attempt.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
