Casey fit for Croker date
Billy Finn, AIB Bank, with club captains, from left, Karl Lawler, Mount Leinster Rangers, Ryan Gaffney, Middleton, Armagh, intermediate hurling, Danny Flynn, Charleville, Cork, and Ciaran Delaney, St. Patrick's, Kilkenny, junior hurling, in advance of... Credit: PICTURE: SPORTSFILE
CHARLEVILLE will be bidding to maintain Cork's unblemished record in All-ireland club junior club hurling finals at the expense of Kilkenny's Ballyragget next Saturday.
Since the competition was initiated in 2006, Fr O'neill's, Dripsey and Meelin have all enjoyed success at Croke Park. And, with Dripsey and Meelin accounting for Kilkenny opposition in the 2009 and 2011 deciders respectively, Charleville are in line to complete a hat-trick of wins for the Rebel County over the standard-bearers from Noreside.
Selector John Collins is delighted to be able to report that Charleville will have a clean bill of health for the big game, with midfielder James Casey fully recovered from an injury sustained in the All-ireland semi-final.
"James got a bang in the wrist against Fullen Gaels, but he's flying again, so we expect to be at full-strength. Our preparations have gone very well, and we are ready to give it our best shot, but we know it won't be easy against Ballyragget, who, by all accounts, have some very talented forwards.
"The two Brennans are reputed to be top-class corner men, but I believe their big player up front is a chap called Kevin Kelly, who is a very mobile wing-forward.
"We are happy enough that either of our wing backs can keep tabs on him, and we also have some good forwards who will take a lot of watching, so if they click on the day the Ballyragget defence could be in for a tough time of it," said Collins.
According to Collins, there is a great buzz in the town in the lead-up to the final, and the main street has become a veritable sea of red and white.
"I have never seen anything like it before, and I don't think the players fully realise the extent of the feel-good factor they have brought to the town in these tough times. I can only imagine what the scenes will be like if we bring home the Cup on Saturday night, but that's what we are aiming to do, and we are eagerly looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"Whatever happens, it's going to be a memorable occasion for the club," said Collins, adding that the situation in relation to the number of substitutes Charleville are allowed to carry is the only downside to the whole thing.
"We have a panel of 37 players, but we are allowed to name just 24 for the All-ireland final. It's a real headache to have to tell players who have trained hard all season that they won't be part of the set-up on Saturday," lamented Collins.
- Noel Horgan
