Shane O’Brien: 'It's what's brilliant about a town like Kilmallock. It's hurling mad'

HURLING MAD: Kilmallock's Shane O'Brien celebrates after scoring his side's first goal. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile.

Even among their own, Kilmallock’s age profile had been questioned but Shane O’Brien noticed how the perception of the team changed in recent months.

Relegation from Division 1 hadn’t helped but opening group victories over Na Piarsaigh and Doon in July and August combined with the minors’ premier hurling championship final win over Na Piarsaigh in early September transformed how The Balbec viewed themselves as they went on a winning run of seven games.

“I think we got massive belief from the first two games,” said All-Star nominee O’Brien.

“And to be honest, it goes without saying, we got massive belief from our minor team this year. They won our first one in 15 years. There were probably five or six of the senior lads coaching.

“The boys were great in Rathkeale that night, and we were after the two wins. I think the narrative changed around Kilmallock in the last couple of months. We got relegated from the league and there was a lot of talk that we were too old or too reliant on people. And then, all of a sudden, we got those first few wins and just momentum has carried us now since.

“Those wins just gave a lot of people in and around the town belief. Kilmallock is crazy. This morning I went to go up to a shop and I was like, ‘I can't because I'm going to get caught talking about the match for an hour.’

"It's what's brilliant about a town like Kilmallock. It's hurling mad and I'm just delighted for everyone in the town as well that they can experience a day like this again.”

After edging out Na Piarsaigh on Sunday, O’Brien lifted the John Daly Cup with his uncle Paudie, who came off the bench, and older brother Dylan. Young brother Gavin was an integral part of the club and county’s minor triumphs this year.

“I was in the stand five years ago. It's so hard to win a county, to be honest. In 2012, ’14, myself and Pierce Connery were mascots for the team. It's just special to win one now, after looking on it so many years and seeing the lads winning one.”

Fourteen years his senior, captain Graeme Mulcahy said Kilmallock’s rate of winning a championship every three years since 2010 is a handsome one in the context of the high standards in Limerick.

“It’s a very competitive county and to win five counties in 15 years, it's huge for the club. It breeds the next generation. The minor this year as well, and we were in an U16 final, which we lost, but all that brings players through and that's what it's about.”

Kilmallock will shortly turn their attention to a trip to Waterford to meet Ballygunner in a provincial semi-final on November 15.

“They beat us well in a Munster final in 2021 (14 points), but we’re a lot more mature and I think we’re a lot better set up than we were then,” remarked Mulcahy, who has been commuting from Cork to play for Kilmallock for over a decade.

“I’m sure they’ll say the same about themselves. It will be an interesting one, but we’ll celebrate for a few days and try and give it our best shot.”