IHC Final Preview: Kildalkey Captain Reilly surrounded by plenty of leaders

After Aaron Traynor lifted the JHC Cup for Kildalkey's third string following last week's final victory over St Patrick's, Shane Reilly is hoping to repeat the trick when he leads out the club's second team in Saturday's IHC final against Navan O'Mahonys.

It has been a remarkable year for the village and Reilly is honoured to be captain of a side that contains men with an abundance of Jubilee Cup medals and a wealth of experience that most senior sides would crave.

At 28 years of age Reilly will wear the number two jersey next Saturday when he leads out players like Enda Fitzgerald, Mairtin Horan, himself a three time SHC winning captain, Derek Doran, Maurice Keogh, Podge Geoghegan, Sean Heavey, Enda Keogh and he is relishing the build up.

"The list of older players we have goes on and on and it is inspirational. To be playing side by side with those lads is unreal," said Reilly.

"It is very reassuring to see Enda Fitz in the full-back line and to have Mock Doran in the half-back line, that is a huge boost to have those lads and plenty of others too.

"It is great to be able to play with those players and to be able to train with them is unreal. They are good craic in the changing room as well, they will pull the rag out of you too which is important.

"They are also seriously impressive hurlers. Look at what they have done and what they can still do. Duxie (Derek Doran) came back in last year and has had a serious impact. They have all been there and down that.

"Their experience has been crucial, especially with the younger lads who are only now coming into their prime. They have been able to give them little tips on experiences of the big days and that helps bring them along.

"The competition at training is unreal. It is healthy competition, the lads are giving their all to get on any of the teams. There are places up for grabs and everyone works so hard to claim one of them.

"It is an honour to be captain of the intermediate team and this group of so many experienced players, anyone of them lads could be captain.

"Players like Enda Fitz, Podger, Mock Doran, (Sean) Heavey all show great leadership, all the lads do and they really bring on the younger lads."

Reilly is looking forward to leading the side out on Saturday and he praised the culture within the club that continues to produce outstanding hurlers.

He believes that his second team have the opportunity to provide the first team with the perfect boost heading into the Sunday's senior final, but his focus is very simple - win on Saturday and worry about Sunday on Sunday.

"To have the Juniors win the title and then the intermediates and seniors both win our semi-finals on the same weekend it was unreal. Our minors were out Saturday as well and they also got the win. It is unreal to be a part of it," he said.

"There is a great culture in our club. We had Spudy (Pat O'Halloran) and Daire (Laharte) in there for the last couple of years and they did a great job. Nick (Fitzgerald) came in this year to take over and just drove it on.

"Lads drive each other on as well which is great because we are all really good friends at the end of the day.

"There is over 30 of us down training and there is not one of those lads that you wouldn't go for a pint with or have the craic with, so we are all best friends at the end of the day which is a massive part of it.

"If you are not pulling your weight the lads will pull you up for it and that is huge. If you are playing sport that is a massive part of the process, having that trust and friendship within the group.

"It would be a massive boost for the senior team if we were to win on Saturday. Whenever anyone in the club wins anything, minors, underage, camogie, it drives on the whole club.

"At the end of the day we are focused on winning our game on Saturday and the seniors are focused on doing the exact same thing on Sunday, so regardless of what happens on Saturday it doesn't change anything, there are still two games there to be won.

"You have to give credit to the coaches at underage level. As I've already said, there's a culture there within the club and within the community and parish.

"From having good teachers in the schools to bring you out to training to having good coaches, parents, volunteers that are willing to put in time to do coaching courses and upskill is unreal.

"The quality of coaches that have been brought in from outside the county has been top. Martin Williams, to name one, has been really really good.

"We have had great coaches over the years which has been massive and has improved lads ability, especially lads coming up from minor. It's a huge step up so having great coaches to bring them up is massive."

Reilly knows the club stand on the brink of history, but he is not getting ahead of himself and knows O'Mahonys will provide a very tough test on Saturday.

"O'Mahonys are there because they deserve to be there. Any team that gets to a final deserves to be there.

"They have improved as the championship as gone on. They got some big results, especially against Rathmolyon.

"They are a good club, they always have been, and I'm sure they will want to get back up senior and win the game.

"We will focus on our own game because we know what we can do. They have quality players all over the pitch, any of their 15 can do damage so we will all have to be on our toes to be ready for them," warned the captain.