Hurling history made, Aidan McCarthy eyes football next

Aidan McCarthy of Inagh-Kilnamona lifts the canon Hamilton Cup. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

There was no panic. Not when they started with a string of wides, not when they were five points down after 15 minutes. Aidan McCarthy could always see their path to success.

Inagh-Kilnamona bounced back from a nervy start to go in just one point behind at half-time. A crucial component in contests like this at this time of the year is always the wind. They had it in the second half.

We knew we'd get the chances,” he said post-match.

“We said at half-time, if we take our chances, we have a great chance of winning the game.

“We knew we'd get them with the breeze; we would have a bit more ease to strike the ball, because it was a tough strike against that wind. Just delighted to get on the ball at the end.

“Fitzy, Sean, Fred, they got on the ball at the end there and they well able to finish. Just thankful we got over the line.” 

McCarthy scored a first-half goal when he kicked the sliotar into the net. The 2024 All-Ireland winner will also be involved in the Clare SFC decider next weekend for Kilmurry-Ibrickane.

“I think the Kilmurry boys would be thanking me now,” he said with a smile. “I'm using my right leg.

“I don't know. I just caught it in whatever way I could. I couldn’t get my hurley out, I looked at the referee and he was pointing at the net. Thank God it went in.

“We are in football next week. I don't think the Kilmurry boys will begrudge me this.” 

The scenes on the field afterwards were terrific, typical of a long wait. The club have been desperate for a day like this. They will celebrate accordingly.

“It is a club effort. It is the committee and everyone. It is the underage. People are training underage teams, under 10s, all the way to senior.

“It is about them as well. They are the ones that drive the club forward. We're just the senior team that go out in these days and play the games.

“Just everyone in the background, all the committee, they're the ones that are giving us everything every day we go to training. We just have to go out and perform. That is our job.”