Cratloe native James Hickey followed in the footsteps of Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin and Tony Considine by guiding Kilmallock to a Limerick SHC title

THE Clare connection for Kilmallock continues.

Cratloe native James Hickey followed in the footsteps of Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin and Tony Considine by guiding the Balbec to a Limerick SHC title.

“It's funny, Jason Earls would have often reminded me that if we didn't win today, that I'd be the first Clare man to fail,” Hickey laughed to LeaderSport after the stunning three-point win over Na Piarsaigh.

“So there was a small bit of pressure going in today.”

The Banner producing winning coaches and managers in the Daly Cup is nothing new.

However, very few outside managers are as revered as Hickey and coach Noel Hickey are in the south Limerick town.

“Just delighted for the people of Kilmallock, I'm delighted for the group of players, delighted for the managing team. I might be the manager on paper and name, but there's so many people who do so much work for Kilmallock.

“Every night in training he tests them, unbelievable. Like Jason Earlis and Eamon Maguire, the two selectors of the team, two die-hard Kilmallock men who love Kilmallock, Evan Mulcahy, S&C, like there's so many cogs to this wheel.

“I'm just so happy and delighted for the people of Kilmallock. It's such a hurling town and it's one place I absolutely love going and adore going. They have just such an affection between the hurling team and the people of the town.”