’All we need is a bit of luck’

Every hurling county has its renowned clubs. Tullaroan, Mooncoin, Mount Sion, Toomevara, Thurles Sars, Cork’s big trio of Glen Rovers, Blackrock and St. Finbarr’s, all roll off the tongue.

When it comes to Limerick, people tend to think of Mick Mackey and Ahane, even of Patrickswell and the Bennis brothers. Perhaps you’d have to be from the area to understand this, but for those of us who are more familiar with south Limerick the powerhouse would be Kilmallock.

Since 1960, when they won their first county senior title, only Patrickswell have won more than Kilmallock (18 v 10). But, on the underage front, at minor and U21 level, Kilmallock are ahead. But for now the focus is on adding to their two provincial titles won in 1992 and 94 when they begin the 2012 campaign at home to Thurles Sarsfields.

In his youth Paddy Kelly was foremost an athlete, won an All-Ireland underage title in the lung-bursting 880yd, but being from Kilmallock hurling soon won out and for 22 full seasons, from his debut in 1973 to his final game in the All-Ireland Club semi-final loss to Birr in 1995, he was a central player for the green-and-whites, his pace and stamina a major asset.

He also spent many years with the county, winning an All Star in 1984. Who better then to educate us on Kilmallock hurling and on what makes it so special?

“Kilmallock town is perfectly sized, neither too big nor too small, that’s one thing, but the pitch is perfectly placed, almost in the heart of the town — that’s the bonus. No young fella has to even get on a bike to get to the hurling field. It’s the meeting place for all the kids and you see them through the summer, heading off with the hurley to the field – that’s a tradition that goes back beyond my own time. And it’s a fine little stadium, the field is always in great nick, and in the really bad weather the little field at the back — small as it is — can then be used.

“There’s a covered stand along each side, which creates a great atmosphere, and it’s a club and a ground that has always had a great reputation. Think back to the Kilmallock tournament in the 60s and 70s when Ballyhea against Newtown would draw crowds of up to 4000. And that’s the thing about Kilmallock – it’s always been very much a hurling town. We grew up listening to the stories of great players and great teams and we’ve been fortunate in that we’ve had fairly regular success. There were the two counties in the 60s, the three-in-a-row in the 70s, the three in the 90s along with the two Munster titles.”

There were great players also in that team, another important inspirational aspect for the local youngsters. “We had, yes. You go back to Bernie Savage, the Hayes brothers, Tommy Hanley, Mossie Dowling – you couldn’t forget Mossie, the man who scored the first pushover try in Croke Park (All-Ireland final of 1973, the ball forced over the line, Kilkenny keeper Noel Skehan and all)! Even in the corner-back and wing-back positions we always had good hurlers – Mike Carroll, Seánie Donovan, John Fitz, Jimmy O’Keeffe, Seán Burchill, Donie Barry, Shane O’Grady, Maurice Nelligan. All super hurlers. We’ve had regular cycles of good teams, regular cycles of good players also and when you bond them into a team – that’s what Tony Considine is doing now, he’s bonding these players and we’re seeing another such cycle. We had a good team in 2007, 08, 09 but we weren’t winning the championship. We’re winning it now because of the way Tony is pulling the team together.”

Tomorrow’s game is a big one for Kelly, an important step if this team is to reach its full potential. “Sunday is vital for us. We’ve had good teams in Kilmallock before but this time it’s different. We had very strong individuals in the 70s and 90s; this team is far better balanced, a better spread of very good players and of the right age profile. We’re playing at home, which is a real advantage — there’s nothing better than winning a big championship game in your own town. We had it in the 90s. We beat Toomevara, Erin’s’ Own and Midleton here, all were colossal occasions. We don’t get too many home championship matches but two years ago the lads got a taste of what the atmosphere can be like. It’s the same opposition again, luckily or unluckily; we lost that one but we had our chances. We’re wiser now, two years older, and a very settled side as well. All we need now is a bit of luck.”