SHC Final Preview: Iron man Patrick Potterton hoping to inspire Kildalkey to glory

When Kildalkey lost to Trim by six points in the fourth round of the SHC in late August there were question marks over the Village's Jubilee Cup credentials.

However, a deeper dive into that game reveals that Kildalkey were without several key men, including the hugely inspirational Patrick Potterton.

Potterton was given the weekend off to compete in the tragic Ironman event that claimed the lives of two people in Youghal, including Slane man Brendan Wall.

"We were totally unaware of what had happened, it was very very sad and my deepest sympathies to the families of those who died, it was an awful tragedy," said Potterton.

"After the race was the first time we were made aware of anything that had happened, it was a huge shock to hear that those people had lost their lives."

Taking part in Ironman events and competing in Triathlons is nothing new to Potterton and he sees the discipline as a welcome distraction from the pressures of trying to win Jubilee Cups with Kildalkey.

"I do a small bit of other training for the Ironman outside of the hurling because it involves swimming, cycling and running," he said.

"I do a small bit of swimming and cycling training, but obviously I get plenty of running training with Kildalkey.

"I absolutely love it. It is something totally different and it allows me reset when I'm training or doing a triathlon, then when I come back to the hurling I'm fresh and ready for the hurling."

Well Potterton is certainly refreshed and he is raring to go ahead of Sunday's SHC final against Ratoath.

He believes that the work that has gone on at underage level in the club over the last few years is now driving the fact that the club entered three adult teams in eight competitions in 2023 and they reached the final of all eight - remarkable.

"The work behind the scenes with all the underage coaches, that is what is key to this success," he suggested.

"Going right back to u-12 and u-13 the numbers they are getting for training are huge. That drives on the minor team and we get two of three lads from those teams step up to senior each year and that's what keeps the teams going.

"The older lads staying on to play with the junior and the intermediate teams is also a huge help.

"Those lads are absolutely massive. When we play A versus B games to be able to have a competitive intermediate team against our senior team is huge, also they are great to keep lads going.

"When you are 18 coming onto a team it is massive to an influence like Podger (Geoghegan), Enda Fitz, these type of lads are there to ease you into it and build you up."

Looking back on that 0-11 to 2-11 loss to trim Potterton believes that was the turning point of their campaign and since then the team has got stronger.

He also believes that Ratoath have got stronger as the championship progressed and he is sure his side are in for their toughest test yet next Sunday.

"The Trim game was the kick in the behind we needed to reset, just to get going again and refocused. We got back after that game, regrouped and got going again as a team and built from there in the following two games and got to the semi-final," he said.

"There is not a puck of the ball between the top four teams in group A. To beat Kiltale like we did in the group and in the semi-final was huge, they are one of the top teams in the championship, so we will definitely take some confidence from those games.

"We know well just how tough Ratoath will be. When we played them in the group stages it was almost a second string team that they had, so we know they'll be a lot strong.

"When they have all their top players on the team they are a really tough team and it will be a huge test to try to get over them, especially with so many big players back in their team."

The value of sport and the importance of being part of a club and a community hit hard after the tragedy in Youghal for Potterton and while he is hoping for success on Sunday he is delighted to be able to go into battle with family and friends.

"Sport is a huge outlet. To be able to put on a jersey and be one of the lucky ones to tog out for a county final is massive," he enthused.

"To be able to represent your club and play with your childhood friends is huge, these are days that we all absolutely cherish, there is no better feeling.

"The excitement is the exact same no matter how many county finals you play in. These are the games you train for since last October and November. To get back to a final with your club and to be with your friends playing it is what it is all about, that is why we play the game," he concluded.