Freestyler Kelly relives ‘exhilarating’ day

Nerve-wracking and exhilarating are the emotions plucked by young Declan Kelly in describing his freestyle hurling victory at Croke Park on Sunday.

While Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s outfit gathered their thoughts at half-time in the senior decider, Cork’s on-field interest was sustained by the 16-year-old Kiltha Óg club man, bidding to secure outright success in the inaugural running of the GAA/GPA initiative.

Kelly was one of three finalists selected by Lar Corbett and Ollie Canning and after the trio had displayed their skills in front of the 82,000 present, the judges opted for the Cork teenager.

“It was fantastic and a great honour,” said Kelly. “I didn’t get much chance to chat with the lads, but it was fantastic to get their acknowledgement.

“It didn’t really sink in until I went back up to my seat and everyone was congratulating me. The second half of the hurling final then was so tight that I completely forgot about my victory. It was almost a perfect day for Cork.”

The competition, launched at the beginning of August, challenged GAA enthusiasts to pick up their hurleys and showcase their talents to the world by posting freestyle hurling videos online.

Declan flirted with the notion of entering for the best part of a month, eventually taking the plunge on deadline day. “There were only two hours to go to close of deadline when I managed to get the video online.

“I was messing about and when we decided to video it, my brother Michael recorded me in the back garden and I got it right on the first go so we went with that.

“The skills I did for the video it’s not stuff I’d be practising the whole time, you’d be doing it when you are messing around with the lads.”

The tyro learned on Thursday he had made the final cut and while his involvement at Croke Park secured the family two premium level tickets to the game, the Midleton CBS student was informed he could not avail of first prize, a trip to China in conjunction with the All Stars, given he is still a minor. An alternative reward for the Cork youngster is now being considered.

“It was a massive relief to make the final. I wasn’t really out in the back garden practising the skills all the way up until Sunday, I didn’t really worry about it that much.

“Walking out however in front of 82,000 was unbelievable. I tried to take it all in, as the atmosphere was amazing.”