Incoming Kerry hurling boss John Griffin has hinted that the county's star hurler Fionán Mackessy is set for an inter-county change to Kilkenny.
The fullback had already made the move from his boyhood club St. Brendans to O'Loughlin Gaels in the Marble County, after work commitments saw Mackessy move East.
Since joining up with O'Loughlin Gaels the two-time Poc Fada champion has been enjoying a stellar run of form, driving the 13-man O'Loughlin Gaels over the line in their quarter-final before racking up a commendable 1-7 in last weekend's semi-final win.
The Kerry man's good run of form for the All-Ireland senior club championship runners-up has earned him an opportunity to join up with the Cats and explore the opportunities that lie in wait there.
11 June 2022; Fionán Mackessy of Kerry makes his way out for the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final match between Kerry and Wexford at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
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Fionán Mackessy set for surprise Kilkenny switch
Speaking to Damian Stack of the Kerryman at a press briefing ahead of his first season in charge of the Kerry hurlers, John Griffin revealed the side may be without their five-time Joe McDonagh team of the year star for the upcoming season.
I know what Fionán was capable of. One of the best players in the Joe Mac in the last few years. He’s after getting a job in Kilkenny, he’s playing his club hurling with O’Loughlin Gaels. He sees an opportunity now as he's living and working up there of maybe making a Kilkenny panel.
Obviously at the moment I think he’s doing a little bit of S&C with them, the Kilkenny panel, as far as I know, and he has to explore that opportunity and he has to.
I don’t think anyone in his home club or in Kerry would begrudge him that.
While Griffin undoubtedly understood the motives behind Fionán Mackessy's move, the Kerry boss remained hopeful that he could be back playing in the Kingdom yet.
I put selfish hat on I want the best players to play with Kerry. I’ve had a conversation with him. Obviously, if Kilkenny works out it works out. If it doesn’t we’ll see is the opportunity there to come back with us.
I would hope in the future Fionán would wear a Kerry jersey again and I think he will, but from right now. He has to maybe explore that opportunity with Kilkenny and good luck to him, but like I’ve said to a lot of them the door is always open to him and maybe to certain lads as well.
I’d love to see him involved while I’m involved. I don’t know how long I’ll be there, but I’d love to see him involved at some stage, but good luck to him also. It’s a huge opportunity for him.
While there's still some time to go until we find out what colours Mackessy will be donning come the start of the National Leagues in January, the now-O'Loughlin Gaels man may have the opportunity to get his hands on some silverware before then if the Gael's run of form continues.
Fionán Mackessy and O'Loughlin Gaels take on Thomastown in the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship in two week's time in Nowlan Park.
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