Kilgarvan carrying Kingdom pride

IT WAS never easy to promote hurling in a county like Kerry where football is king.

Apart from a few pockets in the north and south, the game has struggled to establish itself in the land of green and gold.

Kilgarvan though was one such pocket. In the 1950s they were amongst the hurling elite, but like all small rural areas, emigration saw the club fall on lean times.

Half a century on and the wheel has turned and their fortunes are rising again and on Sunday they face Cork champions Dripsey in the Munster Club JHC final — the first Kerry team to do so.

Ironically, Cork have played a major role in Kilgarvan’s development when the Duhallow GAA Board allowed them compete in their junior hurling league.

Coach Florence O’Brien, who played across the border with Bishopstown and St Finbarr’s, takes up the story.

“They were left an uneven number of junior hurling clubs (seven) in the division and we made an application to bring that up to eight and were readily accepted. It’s been the making of us. Prior to us going, we took part in a three team league in Kerry made up of ourselves, Kenmare and Dr Crokes. We were getting a handful of games which did nothing to promote hurling. But now were guaranteed at least seven matches against very good opposition.

“Our teams have benefited enormously. Playing in the Duhallow junior league has us where we are today.

“We are extremely grateful to the officers of that board and the clubs for extending the hand of friendship.”

Kilgarvan’s vice-captain Hugh Twomey regards Sunday’s final as a great honour for the club — and the county.

“It’s the first time a Kerry club is contesting a Munster hurling final and we are conscious of our responsibilities.

“Last year we failed to beat Moyle Rovers in the semi-finals, and we make no secret of our desire to go one better this year.

“The arrival of Flor as coach has transformed the club.

“Kilgarvan may not be the most skilful hurling team around, but we have a great tradition and great heart, and Flor built on that. Under his tutelage we won back-to-back Kerry intermediate titles in 2006 and 2007, and there is a confidence we can add a Munster title to that. There is a great buzz in the locality about Sunday’s final, and it would be a magnificent achievement if we were to win. It would do so much for the club and for hurling in the county.”

HEAPING praise on Florence O’Brien, Hugh said he has been an inspiration for all the players.

“Flor lives hurling and we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today were it not for his influence. Paddy Daly and Mick Foley are others who do trojan work for hurling in the club. Like Dripsey we are a small community with an indomitable spirit and we hope to carry that into the game.”

And what would it mean for Twomey to win a Munster crown? “I’ve played hurling all my life, won a Division Two National League medal with Kerry in 2001, but it would be beyond our wildest dreams if we were to win this Munster title on Sunday. I could retire a happy man. However for that to happen we have to beat Dripsey, a club on the up and up since they were formed four years ago.

“They will go in as favourites and rightly so. They have a number of outstanding hurlers, have excellent credentials but we are not going to Mallow for the spin. It would be a marvellous Christmas present for our families and supporters and we’ll strain every sinew to give them that.”