22 years since their last final appearance, Kilmallock are determined to go one better this time around.
If the All-Ireland club hurling final lives up to some of Kilmallock’s encounters in the AIB GAA Club Championships so far this season, then hurling fans will be in for a treat.
The Limerick side enjoyed a straightforward victory over Portaferry in the All-Ireland semi-final, but the Munster semi-final and final were extra-time epics in which Kilmallock scored a combined 4-54.
In two games!
If they’re going to claim their first ever All-Ireland club title, they’ll have to overcome the formidable obstacle of five-time champions Ballyhale Shamrocks in the final on Paddy’s Day in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.
In the lead-up to the big game, we had a chinwag with Jake and Graeme Mulcahy (“two greater messers/wind-up merchants you will not find,” according to PRO Tom Mulcahy) to get an insight into what makes the Kilmallock dressing room tick and the type of characters that exist inside it.
Spotlight on Kilmallock
Club: Kilmallock (The Balbec)
Club colours: Green & White
Year established: 1885
Estimated size of population covered by parish: 3000
Proudest moment in the club’s history? The 1993 & 2015 All Ireland Club Finals
Most loyal/fanatical supporter? Cal O’Donnell (Known to light the odd bonfire after big games)
***
Best nickname: There’s some good ones! Dan Joy – AKA Donal Skeehan (Have a look!)
There’s also…
Robert Egan – The Pig
Stephen “Skudge/Squirky/Sqeaky/Squidgy” Quirke
Most likely player to be found on Tinder? Kevin O’Donnell. He cooks gourmet sausages in his spare time girls! Also, Conor Barry. He’d match his sister if he came across her.
Most likely player to break a beer ban? Kieran Stubbins
Player still dressing themselves like its 1999? Philip O’Loughlin. He gets his scarves from Blarney Woollen Mills.
Team-mate you wouldn’t like to meet down a dark alley? Kieran Kenneally
Biggest shaper on the pitch? Eoin Ryan (below). Just for Men.
Biggest Player Achievement 2014? Donal Barry, the first man to get sick at ten consecutive training sessions.
Top tip: Coco Pops are not a viable pre-training meal.
Oldest player to ever have played for the club: In 1988, Bernie Savage lined out at full-forward in club championship at the age of 42. In the same match, Dave Clarke made his championship debut at the age of 16.
… and the final question: Who robbed Jimmy Cronin’s Milk?
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
