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Mike O’Halloran spoke to the captains of St Brendan’s and Kilmoyley, who face each other in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC final this Sunday in Abbeydorney, about the upcoming decider…
St Brendan’s captain Darren Delaney with Kilmoyley captain, Sean Maunsell and TraleeToday.ie hurling writer, Mike O’Halloran at Kirby’s Brogue Inn recently. Photo by Dermot Crean
I spoke to both captains in The Brogue Inn recently over beautiful scones and tea about the upcoming match on Sunday.
Both men were honoured to be chosen as leaders of their clubs. St Brendan’s Darren Delaney told me that Pat O’Driscoll took him aside after training one night and informed him that he was going to be the skipper.
Darren’s mother Geraldine, who is also club secretary, was delighted when he arrived home with the news.
Sean Maunsell told me that the players select the captain in Kilmoyley and very modestly said that most of the other boys had been captain already and it was left to him.
Anyone that follows hurling knows that he is a worthy captain and he has earned the honour.
Darren and Sean also spoke about the venue of the final and while they agreed that the pitch in Abbeydorney is second to none, they felt it would lack the sense of occasion that the trip to Austin Stack Park brings.
St Brendan’s fans felt that they left a title after them last year and Darren Delaney agrees and feels the hunger and drive is back this year, while Sean thinks that Kilmoyley will be stronger this year after their experience of getting to the final and the replay last year.
Sean also mentioned that James Godley is back and there is a chance that Paudie O’Connor is making great progress with his injury and should play a part in the final.
The influence of Daniel Collins is massive for Kilmoyley, but he might also be an ace in the pack for Kilmoyley as he plays football with Ardfert, so he has the inside track on some of the St Brendans boys.
Sean jokingly told me that Collins is being sent up to Ardfert for extra training these days in order to infiltrate the camp. Daniel’s friendship with the boys from St Brendans will be put on hold for the hour in Abbeydorney.
Darren spoke of the influence of the very vocal Rory Horgan who is driving on the team from the back using all his experience to keep them on their toes
The loss of the great Tom Murnane was also a factor that drove Kilmoyley on and their subs that day picked up the pace with young Maurice O’Connor brilliant and Micheal Regan driving over three points.
St Brendan’s returning yanks will also have a huge influence on the final given the lift they gave them in the second half of the semi-final.
Sean agreed with me that St Brendans were the favourites for the title having beaten Lixnaw, but Darren was quick to point out that Kilmoyley put up a huge score against Ballyduff.
They both expected the game to be tight with a point or two in it at the end.
• St Brendan’s V Kilmoyley throws-in at 2.30pm on Sunday in Abbeydorney GAA Grounds
