Mallow serves up finals to savour

MALLOW was the perfectvenue for Munster’s lastprovincial deciders of 2008 — the junior hurling and football finals.

The world-class facilities provided comfort for spectators and a perfect pitch for four hugely committed teams.

The hurling decider between Kerry’s Kilgarvan and Dripsey of Cork was a fairytale. Who could predict a small club in football-mad South Kerry would become the first Kingdom outfit to contest a Munster club hurling final? To most it seemed impossible. But they love hurling in that lovely hamlet of Kilgarvan and participation in the Duhallow League gave them hope and ambition. They may have been beaten by a better Dripsey side but Kilgarvan will have much to celebrate this Christmas.

And what of Dripsey? They didn’t exist four years ago and now they have won Cork JHC A and B and Munster crowns. Any team that wins a Cork hurling title has to be respected and now that the provincial title has been annexed, the Dripsey lads will take beating. Dripsey showed Sunday that they have the skill, determination and that vital first touch.

William Buckley, John Keane and their Dripsey squad could have a lot more celebrating to do before the recession bites in 2009.

In the football decider, Skellig Rangers, spurred on by the exploits of their neighbours St Michael’s/Foilmore in winning the Munster Club IFC title, proved too strong for an impressive Bruff. Injury, a sending off and a missed penalty conspired against Bruff. But with O’Sullivans, Martins and Driscolls a-plenty on the South Kerry side, Skellig weren’t going to be denied and they, too, will have their eyes firmly set on Croke Park in February. Wouldn’t it be some feat for South Kerry if both clubs were to go on to All-Ireland glory?! But if one club were to win the All-Ireland and the other to lose, that could mean serious one-upmanship in Daniel O’Connell territory.

On Sunday night, TV3 screened the film The Wind That Shakes The Barley. That started with a hurling game but finished in heartbreak and disaster. Even though we had two victors and therefore, two defeated teams on Sunday, there was no hint of disaster, just pride. When we introduced the All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate provincial and All-Ireland competitions a few years ago we wanted to give more recognition and hope to the smaller clubs. Now Croke Park in February is a secret ambition of junior and intermediate players everywhere. The pride in the village has taken on a new meaning. And if you want further evidence of this, I suggest you read “The Old Rustic Bridge” by legend John McHugh in which he traces the history of Castletownroche. It could be anywhere. Yes, the pride of the little club beats stronger than ever.