Cork players Micheál Mullins, right, and James Dwyer celebrate after the oneills.com Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Final match between Cork and Clare at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.
By Stephen Barry
Micheál Mullins hopes to inspire youngsters from smaller clubs all across Cork that they can make it to the top level of hurling.
The Whitechurch midfielder captains his county into the oneills.com All-Ireland U20 final on Sunday against Offaly, having raised the Munster trophy just over a fortnight ago.
He leads a panel that includes players from other junior clubs such as Randal Óg, Ballinora, Cobh, Dromina, and Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels, as well as recent champions Lisgoold, Russell Rovers, and Dungourney.
Five of those clubs also had starters on this year’s Cork minor team that reached an All-Ireland semi-final.
“A lot of people said it to me before about playing with a junior club but it’s who I went to school with, who I’ve grown up with, and played every other sport with,” says Mullins.
“Why change? That’s my club and it just shows that you don’t have to come from a big senior club to play with Cork.
“I just hope that inspires younger lads from the club and other clubs that you can do it.
“My club is very proud of me for what I’ve done and they’d be driving me on. You could see the last day, there was great support from my club – I think nearly every fella on the team said it to me after!”
Mullins describes his dad Mikey as his biggest hurling influence.
He has walked this road before. In his own playing career, Mikey won All-Ireland senior and minor hurling and U21 football medals with Cork, as well as county titles with Na Piarsaigh.
“He wouldn't push me too much but he goes to all the games when he can so I'd always have a chat with him and ask him how he thought I did.
“He'd always tell me the honest truth so it's good to have his support. He's always been there for me. Whatever I chose to do, he was always there and he backed me 100 per cent.
“It's good to have him in my corner to help me along the way, encouraging me, and helping me in different ways that I might not see myself or my coaches might not see. He just says a few words, nothing too major, but it's nice to have him on my side.”
Micheál Mullins of Cork in action against John Kirby of Limerick during the oneills.com Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Round 5 match between Limerick and Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile.
He was a proud face in the crowd when Micheál scored a goal-of-the-season contender in the Munster final.
He rose the ball right on the sideline and only took it into his hand once, to sell a dummy handpass that opened up the route to goal. His finish, while falling to the ground, gave the Clare keeper no chance, stitching the sliotar to the roof of the net.
At home, Mullins fosters a collection of football boots which numbers close to 50 pairs now – all adidas, for those wondering.
“I think my Mam and Dad would be cursing me, nearly every week a new pair of boots comes in the door,” he chuckles.
“When I was younger and had summer jobs, I’d always save up. I always liked to have nice boots and I’d look after them as well.
“That’s just my personality. I wouldn’t really wear the same boots much but you’d always have one or two pairs that you’d constantly wear.
“Fellas would be looking at me and asking if I’m off my game. I just say that it’s my thing.
“It’s something I enjoy and that I’ll always do. I won’t sell them.”
Away from the field, Mullins is an apprentice electrician with Kevin Barry Electrical.
“I had an idea before I left school what I was going to do.
“College wasn't for me. Obviously, I'd love to go to college and play hurling but I knew I always wanted to be hands-on and working before I left school.
“So far, so good. I enjoy what I do and I hope to have a good career at it.”
On the field, Cork are guided by a management team that includes a trio of recent legends in manager Ben O’Connor alongside selectors Anthony Nash and Ronan Curran.
“As former Cork players who have won medals in the past, they know what it takes,” says Mullins.
“They're very down-to-earth fellas. You can approach them with anything, whether it's on or off the pitch. They're nice fellas who just want to see us doing well.”
Cork captain Micheál Mullins lifts the cup after his side's victory in the oneills.com Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Final match between Cork and Clare at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
It was O’Connor who pulled Mullins aside to break the captaincy news to him – from one Cork captain to another.
“It didn’t hit me straight away. It was a shock and I was delighted but it was only a day or two after that it really settled in.
“It’s a great privilege for me, my family, my club, all my friends.
“I was delighted but I said there was no point being captain unless you were going to win something so we’ve one ticked off and we’re looking to get another one.”
They’ve shown strength of character in beating Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, and Clare (twice), including a couple of comeback victories.
The players are building their own bank of experience. Mullins, Eoin Downey, and Ben Cunningham are All-Ireland winners at this grade from 2021, while many of the younger panellists won minor honours the same year.
“Every fella that’s there knows what it takes,” says Mullins.
“Munster and All-Ireland finals don’t come around easily. We’re just trying to make sure that guys know that.
“You have to take it when it comes.”
