Kerins: No substitute for HQ on our big day

CLARINBRIDGE attacker Alan Kerins has revealed next month’s All-Ireland SHC final against O’Loughlin Gaels will carry greater significance for the club than their last appearance in the decider nine years ago.

That 2002 clash against Birr ended in a 2-10 to 1-5 defeat for the Galway club with the game played in Semple Stadium due to redevelopment work taking place at Croke Park.

Seven of that side will now get the chance to line out in club colours in Croke Park and Kerins admits that the prospect of playing in GAA HQ will make for the most momentous occasion in the club’s history.

“The last time we felt we were robbed a bit by the game not being played in Croke Park. This time it’ll be huge for the club lads who have never played there before,” he said. “For those of us who have played there before it’ll be a new experience for us to be wearing the Clarinbridge jersey. But it’ll be a great one. It’s going to be amazing to travel together to Croke Park now as a parish and a community for the first time.”

Victory for Clarinbridge will place Kerins in a select group of players who have claimed All-Ireland senior club hurling and football titles, after he was part of the Salthill-Knocknacarra team that defeated St Gall’s in the 2006 football decider. Kerins freely admits he is desperate for that hurling medal.

“I’ve lost two All-Ireland senior finals with Galway in 2001 and 2005 and that All-Ireland club senior final with Clarinbridge,” he said. “It’d be fantastic if I could finally win an All-Ireland senior hurling medal. I’d retire happily.”