The parish of Mourneabbey will be heading west to support the gallant foot-ballers of Clyda Rovers who take on Kiltane in the All Ireland semi-final in Ballinasloe this Sunday. Throw-in is at 2pm, and with a place in the All Ireland Final at stake, a great battle is expected. Clyda are managed by Ned English, and captain Oliver O’Hanlon has already lifted the county and Munster cups in triumph. The team has a good mix of youth and experience, and former All Star and All Ireland winner Paudie Kissane, plus 2010 All Ireland winner Ray Carey and minor and U21 Cork players Fionn O’Shea, Cian O’Sullivan and Conor O’Sullivan, will ensure that the team give the Connacht champions a run for their money.
No one could deny Clyda their County Final success this year after three defeats in a row, but few imagined that they would go on to win the Munster Final in November, defeating Milltown Malbay 0-10 to 0-7. Since that win the team has had nine weeks to prepare for Sunday’s match, and Ned English and his backroom team have left no stone unturned in preparing them for their big day. One thing is sure, the commitment on the pitch will be matched by the cheering on the sidelines. One way or another, this Clyda team is creating history!