Leinster Champions
The Lockes are Leinster hurling champions, wow doesn’t that look there in headline. Yes our proud John Lockes warriors just keep the bandwagon rolling and added another piece of history to the club when they swept to victory last Sunday by defeating Drumcullen of Offaly at their home ground in Rath by 2-14 to 0-04.
From the very start everyone knew the Lockes were on a mission as they hassled and harried the faithful County men whose club colours were wonderful. For the first fifteen minutes Drumcullen did their best to get at the Callan lads but the Lockes were not for turning, they stood shoulder and repelled everything that was thrown at them. Mick Hartley was a colossus at left half back and did a power of hurling in the first half giving his fellow half backs John O’Neill and Adrian O’Sullivan more time on the ball. Behind them was a line of pure hard men and hurlers. Mick Roche definitely had his best day in a Lockes jersey in years he was masterful throughout even though the heart did miss a beat just before half time when the referee gave the impression he was going to send Mick to the line for a second bookable offence, but the heart settled again when the Ref realised he had the wrong offender. Beside him on his right is the revelation of the century, The Little canon ball Mick Gordon was just super again, his reading of the game is incredible and he is rarely beaten. On the far side is the younger of the full line James Power who grew further in stature yesterday. He is full of confidence and his point in the second half will go down in the history of the club as a legendary stroke. There may have been a thousand people from Callan there yesterday but in ten years time when the story of Powers point is been told, I bet that number of Callan people will have grown to 10,000. Between the posts Paul Morrissey had one of his quieter days and when he had to be sprung into action he did it with full confidence. Paddy Kennedy started at centre field and as always Paddy gives his all winning the aerial battle, putting that had up when bigger men would shy away. Beside was Matty Holohan who has a four litre engine under the bonnet, he had one of his quieter days on Sunday but he will be there again in two weeks giving his all. Another young lad who matures everyday he puts on a Lockes jersey, Owen McGrath, he was steady as a rock on the frees and the amount of ball he won and carried was unreal and he just added another medal to his fine collection. Jacko Corcoran also had an excellent game yesterday winning loads of ball at Centre Forward where his direct opponent towered above him, Jacko waited for the breaking ball and made good use of it. On the other side was captain fantastic Robert Jackman, I don’t use the word Fantastic lightly but in Roberts case it is exactly how you could have describe him. He was every place and hunted down his opposition at all times, he took unbelievable hardship and wore the scars of battle on his left hand on Sunday after the game. Inside Robert was grease lightening himself Ger Shelly. Ger worked like he was a corner back and closed down his opponent winning ball and delivering to all around him. At number 14 Simon Burke was on fire winning brilliant ball and going on lightening runs. He had started at right corner forward and it was from there he got his goal. Simon sees only goal and it was a lightening run and strike that put the Lockes in the driving seat they would stay in for the remainder of the game. On the left corner was the second little canon ball of the team. Shane ‘Shef’ Bergin is something else and as hard as a rock. The corner back that was on him knew he had no easy touch and especially in the Second half when he really got going and took that goal after a majestic passage of play from Mick Gordon to Robert Jackman to Ger Shelly to Shef himself to bury it passed the goalkeeper. Bobby Jackman Tommy O’ Sullivan and Pat Purcell have left nothing unturned with these lads and it was terrific that all five subs were used and it was the management paying homage to a great bunch of players. Jason Corcoran took to the playing field for the first time in three months after a horrible injury and it was brilliant to see him back and remember he will always be remembered as the guy who saved our bacon in the drawn game against Barrow Ranger before we won the replay. It was great to see Liam Kennedy introduced as he epitomised everything about been a Lockes player, yes he doesn’t get a lot of game time but he gives his all when introduced and will wear that Leinster medal proudly like his brother Paddy. Another young lad who gives his all is Eoghan Fahey, he is always at training sessions and again has a tough engine. If he goes on to win that All-Ireland club medal I would imagine his Tipperary dad Martin will get a bigger kick out of the Lockes winning that Tipperary beating Kilkenny last year.
Two of the veterans of the club also got their glory in the game last Sunday. P.J. Coady and Declan Roche have had big days in the Kilkenny jersey but this had to be the best. Both have been great servants to the club and to this panel and it was so fitting that they got that play time. The biggest cheer of the day was when Declan put the ball over the bar, the roar went up and Deccie turned and punched the air with delight. Yes we had done it. The Drumcullen club really staged a wonderful event at their compact ground. They had everything laid on for the visitors and their hospitality will never be forgotten. They were disappointed to lose as they probably thought home advantage would be a help, but it wasn’t to be, but they can be assured that they have won many friends in Callan by their welcome and the food they provided after the game was terrific as it certainly helped to warm us all for the journey home. Their club house is a credit to them their walls were festooned with loads of great memories. The journey continues for the Lockes on Sunday 30th January when it’s All-Ireland semi final day. Sounds unreal and its stuff you pinch yourself when said, but pinch yourself because it is real.