Ryan Mullaney ready for championship challenge as Castletown face champions first
There's a new format with 10 teams now competing for the Bob O'Keefe Cup
Castletown defender and Laois senior hurler Ryan Mullaney is gearing up for another tilt at the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship, with his side handed one of the toughest opening assignments possible, a Round 1 clash against reigning champions Clough-Ballacolla.
Speaking at the official launch of this year’s championship, Mullaney said Castletown are embracing the challenge and are happy with how things are shaping up behind the scenes.
“All good now, looking forward to it. Big one coming up against County Champions, Clough-Ballacolla. But the preparation is going well so far anyway,” he said.
The 2025 season marks the introduction of a new championship structure, with ten senior clubs now competing in a revised format. Mullaney admits the changes bring a level of unpredictability, but believes that clarity will come once the games begin.
“We'll have to see how it goes. First year it's been done, so again, we'll have to see now. It's hard to really know what to expect with it or what way it works. But sure, I suppose everyone will get a realisation after the first few games anyway,” he said.
Facing Clough-Ballacolla, who have claimed four of the last five county titles, is no small task. But Mullaney sees the fixture as an opportunity to go up against the county’s most consistent force in recent years.
“They've been the standard bearers there for the last few years. But again, it's something we have to look forward to and hope we can try and compete anyway, that's the main thing,” he said.
On the inter-county stage, Mullaney had a solid season personally but reflected on a disappointing year for Laois overall. The team dropped out of Division 1B in the National Hurling League and suffered another heartbreaking Joe McDonagh Cup final defeat, but he remains hopeful for brighter days ahead.
“Tough end to the year. The league itself was tough and all that, but then again, Joe McDonagh, we were aiming to win that all right. It just unfortunately fell short, and the second year in a row to fall short in the final, disappointment. So hopefully next year, another big year then as well,” he ended.