Kenmare hoping for double delight on their Munster odyssey

Kenmare Shamrocks are in a unique position. Contesting the Munster Club JHC this weekend and the JFC on Sunday week, they are the only club in Ireland still playing championship on both fronts.

Club chairman Andy O’Sullivan is proud of that fact but admitted it does stretch resources because about 1- of the starting 15 on the football team, play hurling as well.

“This is a unique achievement by the Kenmare club,” he said.

“It is something that has never before been done in Kerry and is something that, as a club, we are very proud of. To represent your county in the Munster club is the pinnacle for any club, but to do so in hurling and football, is very special.

“We are very proud of our hurling achievements down here in the Roughty Valley. Thankfully we have been able to keep the show going on both fronts, and there is tremendous credit, due to everyone involved.”

It has not been an easy journey. While the footballers have regular games in the county league and championship, the hurlers have played just four games to win the county intermediate title and the final was back on July 13.

However a mixture of South Kerry games and challenge games helped fill the void and O’Sullivan believes they will be competitive against their Limerick opponents.

“St Kieran’s would have the advantage of playing more competitive games of hurling than us in recent times while we were relying on challenge games, but we are still confident of giving a good display.

“We have a couple of niggly injures but we are hoping to have everyone fit for action. St Kieran’s had a good win over Killsheehlan from Tipperary but they were a nominated team and not the county champions so we don’t know how good they were.

“St Kieran’s will be tough opponents as they have some fine hurlers but we want to keep the Ballyduff momentum of last weekend going. So we will be doing everything in our power to win and replicate some of the great results of our neighbours Kilgarvan.”