*Darragh Moroney of O’Callaghans Mills. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
O’CALLAGHANS Mills make their return to senior hurling after a year-long stint in the second tier, the Fireballs will be looking to catch fire from the off in a competitive Group 3.
Whether they can extend their winning run into championship will be the big test for the Mills. Since their hugely disappointing loss in the Munster intermediate final that finished in controversy in November, O’Callaghans Mills haven’t lost a game.
In ten outings in the Clare Cup, they won eight and drew one on their way to being crowned senior league champions a fortnight ago when they defeated Scariff in a game that required extra time.
Managements talk about getting the blend right and O’Callaghans Mills would appear to have done that based on their league progress.
Experience provided by Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney, Bryan Donnellan and Aidan Fawl to mention a few is complemented by young players Seanie Boyce, Liam Murphy, and Niall Melody.
“We simply cannot look past the first round. We are playing the 2024 champions whose line up includes the current Clare goalkeeper who was outstanding all season, and an All Star corner back and a number of very experienced players. The Mills are looking to be competitive this year and see where that takes us”, team manager Seán Doyle explained.
He continued, “there is a huge difference between the standard in the cup and that of the championship. Coming from intermediate we are probably at the bottom at this stage. This is a totally different level and we are hoping to be competitive”.
The Bodyke native believes that Group 3 which includes the Mills is “probably the toughest along with Group 1 (Clonlara, Inagh/Kilnamona, Ballyea and St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield). There are four serious teams in our group and we are trying to get up to the level required. We are under no illusions as to what we are facing. Feakle won the title two years ago, Clooney/Quin were in the final last year and Cratloe have won the title in the not too distant past and they have many outstanding hurlers”.
It’s been eighty nine years since the Canon Hamilton last dined in the parish but there is no great expectation from the Fireballs’ fanbase. “The O’Callaghans Mills public have really got behind this team. Things were at a low ebb some years ago but with the help of some great management teams things improved. We got the rub of the green last year and we got a good run. We are under no pressure from the followers”.
Doyle added, “every team wants to win. Our motto is next man up and whatever team takes the field will give it their all”
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Feakle, manager Sean and his backroom team are anxiously awaiting news in relation to the injuries. Gary Cooney is a long term injury and he is definitely out of contention while a final decision on the fitness of Aidan Fawl and Aidan O’Grman won’t be made until later in the week but they are extremely doubtful
On their run to league honours the Mills had the majority of their panel available Aidan Fawl and Seanie Boyce missed some games due to their involvement with the Clare seniors and under 20’s respectively but both were available for the final and played key roles in the win.
O’Callaghans Mills Factfile:
Management: Sean Doyle (Manager), Patsy O’Donnell (selector), P.J. O’Connell (selector), Robbie Madden (selector), Joe Cooney (selector), Brendan Egan (S&C), Donie Whelan (Physio)
Captain: Aidan O’Gorman
Vice captain: Jacob Loughnane
Key player: Aidan Fawl
One to watch: Niall Melody
Fresh blood: Liam Murphy, Ciaran Cooney.
Departures Gate: None
Treatment table: Gary Cooney (ankle), Aidan O’Gorman (groin), Aidan Fawl (ankle); Ciaran Cooney (hamstring)
Titles won: 8 (1904, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1918, 1923. 1932, 1937
Last year’s run: Premier intermediate champions
Schedule of games:
Round 1 v Feakle on Saturday July 25th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg at 16:00
Round 2 v Cratloe on Saturday August 8th in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 18:00
Round 3 v Clooney/Quin on Saturday August 22nd in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 14:00
Championship power ranking: 7
