Shane Moloney of Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry pictured ahead of Sunday's AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Final against Watergrasshill of Cork.
By John Harrington
It became very clear very quickly they had a special generation of young hurlers in Tynagh when they won three Galway schools ‘A’ titles in a row despite being just a two-teacher school.
Three lads in particular stood out – Shane Moloney, Padraig Breheny, and Paul Killeen.
They’d go on to win a minor All-Ireland with Galway together in 2011 and all graduate to the senior team too, with Moloney scoring a famous winning point in the 2015 All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary on his championship debut.
The three amigos are still going strong and will likely be the key men for Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry when they play Watergrasshill in Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final at Croke Park.
For Shane Moloney it’s a day to be savoured. He’s played a headquarters plenty of times for his county, but to get the opportunity to walk out onto the hallowed turf with his lifetime friends and in front of a community that means so much to him is something a little extra-special.
"Yeah, myself, Paul and Padraig started national school together in Tynagh, so we're thick as thieves the three or us, we've been together the whole way up,” says Moloney. “The three of us were playing that day (All-Ireland minor final) in 2011, and that was special. We won the minor A with the club that year as well so it was a very good year for the club as well.
"It's just the whole thing about the club here in Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry. You're playing beside neighbours, cousins.
"I've three cousins on the panel, they live next door to me. I don't have a brother but they're nearly like brothers to me.
“It's just special to be playing with them whether it's in Croke Park or Kilbeacanty, I just love pulling on the Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry jersey and togging out with this group of lads.”
Hurling is the glue that bonds everyone together in Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry. Families are steeped in the game, none more so than the Moloneys.
Shane Moloney, Galway, celebrates after scoring the winning point in the 2015 All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Tipperary. Picture credit: Dáire Brennan / SPORTSFILE
Shane isn’t the only member of the family tree who has won All-Ireland senior or minor medals. His great grandfather Andy Kelly played on the first Galway team to win a senior All-Ireland in 1923 while his uncle Tom played on the first minor All-Ireland winning team 60 years later.
“Everyone around is just hurling mad,” says Moloney. “We're a small little parish between Portumna and Loughrea. The national school is very small and there's nothing else to do around here only hurl really. No other sports.
“Everyone is always willing to give a hand with fundraising or the pitches or anything. Everyone backs the hurling club here as best they can and there's a huge community spirit around the place.
"Everyone from the community and the parish is involved
"It's family, uncles, it's everyone. It's special.”
The place is decked out in blue and green ahead of Sunday’s Final but the players are steering clear of the hype.
They’re an experienced crew with team leaders who know what playing in Croke Park is all about, and their manager Mattie Kenny knows a thing or two about the place as well from his time with Cuala, Dublin, and Galway.
A Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry man himself, Kenny is a highly respected figure on his native shore.
“Huge,” says Moloney. “Even when he was with Cuala and Dublin, he was very generous with his time as well. He just brought back all the experience that he'd gathered over the last few years with Cuala and DUblin and brought it back to the club here.
"He got a good group of guys along with him, players that buy into everything he says and does and that's how we've ended up where we are today
"It just all kind of fell into place."
Sunday, January 12
All-Ireland Club IHC Final
Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry (Galway) v Watergrasshill (Cork), Croke Park, 2.30pm (TG4)
