Hickey key to Munster’s meanest defence

IT says a lot for a team when their star player, the man selected as AIB Munster player of the championship, is a defender, a stopper.

In Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s march through Munster, with wins over Drom-Broadford (Limerick), Stradbally (Waterford) and in the final against Kerins O’Rahillys (Kerry), corner-back Darren Hickey was a force of nature, much as he had been since the beginning of the 2009 season.

He’s a nightmare for any forward; a footballer to his toes, tall, strong and fast. By rights he should be in midfield, which is where he made his name as a youngster, earning the considerable nickname ‘Darragh O Sé’, but these days he plays back in the corner where he is the mainstay in one of the meanest defences in club football.