Gunning for their second All-Ireland title in three seasons.
To win one All-Ireland title is an incredible achievement for any club, to win two of them in the space of two calendar years is something that very few clubs get to experience.
It’s something that is very much within the bounds of possibility for Antrim club Kickhams Creggan, All-Ireland Junior hurling champions in 2014 and Ulster Intermediate champions this year.
A comfortable eight-point win over Tyrone’s Éire Óg has them back in an All-Ireland semi-final against Abbeyknockmoy next month.
Before that game, we caught up with Harry Bateson to give us the lowdown on what goes on within the four walls of the Kickhams Creggan dressing room.
Spotlight on Kickhams Creggan
Club name: Kickhams Creggan
Club colours: Green & Yellow
Year established: 1924
Estimated size of population covered by parish: 1,000
Proudest moment in the club’s history? Winning the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship in 2013/14 after a replay with Ballysaggart of Waterford. Coming back from 10 points down to level the game in the first match in Croke Park, it was real Roy of the Rovers stuff.
Most loyal/fanatical supporter: Paddy Maguire. Come rain, hail or shine, Paddy is at every match and training session and takes pride of place in the dugout.
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Best nickname: Niall ‘Hank’ Robb. Although having mellowed in recent years, Hank (from Me, Myself and Irene fame) is still known to come out after dark at times. Honourable mention to the Cowhead Dougans, James and Seamy Óg.
Most likely player to be found on Tinder: Frank McAuley. The self-proclaimed selfie king, he has 20-20 vision and has just began wearing thick framed glasses on nights out.
Has been known to bring out the worst in Hank (see above).
Most likely player to break a beer ban? Kevin Rice, although he may be disqualified for never starting the beer ban. In that case, I’d give the nod to Decy McCann, who normally leads the weekend charge around the various watering holes.
Dodgiest championship haircut (please describe): 25 years of championship haircuts have taken their toll on Stevie Colgan.
Who’s the last off the pitch at training? There are probably a few who could take this one, but I’ll go with Conor McCann as someone who can often be found doing a bit extra.
The team-mate you’d least like to take a hefty shoulder from: Marty Johnston. Nearly put Ollie Duffin down once (see below); that was enough to put the fear of God in me.
The team-mate the opposition would most like to give a hefty shoulder to: Ollie Duffin. Many have tried, all have failed. Some say he is targeted due to his uncanny resemblance to Henry Shefflin, others due to his handsome beard. The man who can’t be moved.
Ollie’s on the left with a local fan
Oldest player to ever have played for the club: Current manager Tommy McCann Senior stepped into an ‘experienced’ full forward line a few years back that had a combined age of 130+.
In recent years, Stevie Colgan, Enda Maguire and David Brady have been flying the flag for the old-timers.
Player with the longest distance to travel to training: Some of the students at college in Belfast; there are six or seven who make the trek a few times a week.
Last guy you’d want to take a penalty in the last minute of a county final: Sam Maguire. If he scored it, you’d never hear the end of it.
Player you’re most likely to mute in the club WhatsApp group: It’s normally a free-for-all in the WhatsApp group and what goes on in there should certainly stay in there.
Terry Maguire could do with the mute treatment occasionally.
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