With club action back in full flow, let's look at 19 inter-county players juggling big and small ball commitments for the upcoming campaigns.
Such commitment is a thing of the past in the inter-county game. With both championships running simultaneously and the demands of both hurling and football, now we should take time to appreciate what these players are doing for their local clubs.
Noel McGrath - Tipperary/Loughmore Castleiney
The Loughmore magician can do it all: hurling and football. Last Friday night, he lined out midfield against Clonmel Commercials alongside his brothers Brian and John as they drew 2-9 to 0-15 against the county champions, who were missing Seamus Kennedy, who is out for the year after sustaining an ACL injury.
Jamie Barron- Waterford/Fourmilewater/The Nire
After securing senior hurling last weekend with Fourmilewater, Barron, along with his brother Tom and intercounty hurler Sean Walsh and former one Conor Gleeson, will be looking to regain the Conway Cup after losing it to Comeragh neighbours Rathgormack last season.
The Nire @NireFourmile secure back-to-back Conway Cups against a gallant Rathgormack team @rathgormackgaa.
Incredible🤯MOTM performance by Conor Gleeson @cgleeson67 who played with a dislocated shoulder 😱😱😱 for some of the match💪🏻
A great end to the @WaterfordGAA SFC pic.twitter.com/23Yejxp1jo— Clubber (@clubber) October 31, 2022
Brian Hayes- Cork/St Finbarrs
The towering full-forward for the Rebels lined out midfield as the Barr’s lost to Mallow over the weekend in the football championship. His hurling club teammate Damien Cahalane had a much better weekend when his football club Castleheaven won 2-18 to 0-5 against St Michaels as the Munster champions looked in red hot form.
Dessie Hutchinson- Waterford/Ballygunner/Gaultier
Dessie played his first bit of club action this weekend, scoring six points from play, and Ballygunner made it 56 straight wins in the Waterford senior hurling championship. The lethal corner forward might wish he had the same dominance with his football club, Gaultier, as they lost to the Nire after extra time in last season's quarter-final. Passage's Mark Fitzgerald is also playing with the East Waterford football club and has a booming kick of a ball from the ground.
Tom O’Connell- Waterford/ Brickey Rangers
Besides doing Jude Bellingham celebrations, Tom O’Connell is handy with the small ball. The Brickey Rangers booked their place into the Premier Intermediate semi-finals by beating last year's senior side, Dunhill, 5-30 to 1-12. O’Connell scored 1-11 for the Brickeys as they look to make it to back-to-back county finals and promotions against Ballygunners' second team this weekend after winning the intermediate last season.
7 April 2024; Tom O'Connell of Waterford celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship quarter-final match between Waterford and Tipperary at Fraher Field in Dungarvan, Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Diarmuid Ryan- Clare/Cratloe
The All-Ireland winning wing back with Clare lined out midfield the other day as county football champions Cratloe drew 1-11 to 0-14 against Ennistymon over the weekend
Con O’Callaghan- Dublin/Cuala
King Con came on as a second-half sub and scored a goal as Cuala lost 1-25 to 1-18 to Dublin champions and Leinster runner-ups Na Fianna.
Con O'Callaghan- on as a substitute- with a brilliant run & finish for @CualaCLG 🔥
📺 Watch live on DubsTV ➡️ https://t.co/dgPUCPCV9O#GoAheadDSC pic.twitter.com/mAY3fdURwR— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) August 17, 2024
Brendan Rodgers- Derry/Slaughtneill
Losing Ulster hurling finalists Sluaghtneill will be looking to reclaim their crown. They showed their intentions with a comprehensive 3-22 to 1-10 win over Ballinascreen, with both Rodgers and Shane McGuigan playing the game. Versatile defender Chrissy McKaaigue was missing this weekend, but expect him to return sooner rather than later.
Luke Loughlin- Westmeath/The Downs/Clonkill
Perhaps known more for his football than his hurling, Loughlin has won three county titles with Clonkill in the small ball, and going by this one-handed goal that helped them edge past Raharney by 2 points, 4-16 to 1-23, over the weekend, he might add to that tally.
This brilliant goal from Luke Loughlin helped Clonkill edge past Raharney by 2 points, 4-16 to 1-23, in a thrilling Slevins Coaches Senior A Hurling Championship Round 3 encounter at TEG Cusack Park this afternoon.#westmeathgaa#whclubchamp2024 pic.twitter.com/uzkI50vwb0
— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) August 18, 2024
