'It's incredible to be in an All-Ireland final' - Monaleen's Lorcan Lyons

LORCAN Lyons will lead Monaleen into battle when they take to the field in Croke Park for their All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final with Mayo’s Tooreen on Saturday evening.

The defender has had an outstanding season for the city side and has enjoyed every aspect of the club’s run to Croke Park.

"It's been an incredible year, “ Lyons told Leader Sport this week. "Even looking at the seven games that we had in the Premier Intermediate and trying to get into that top four, then into the semi-final and final.

"Ever since the county final, the games have been coming thick and fast. We have been taking it stage by stage. Getting over the Doora-Barefield game and then onto Roscrea in the Munster final. It's been uncharted territory for us.

"Once you get into the semi-final then, you want to reach the final. It's mad the way things go. It's incredible to be in the final."

Monaleen have had a stunning season after a disappointing 2021 that saw them relegated from both senior and Junior A grades.

The past year has seen a complete up turn on the hurling side of the club and it’s no accident that the upturn in fortunes came about when Toomevara’s Eoin Brislane took over as team manager.

The Tipperary man has had a huge influence on the whole club since the newly appointed hurling committee first approached him to take over. Saturday will a hugely exciting day for the Lyons family in general. Lorcan’s brother, Ronan is also a key member of the team that will all take to the field at GAA headquarters.

"The biggest source of pride so far is that we are at the final stage and that you have gotten as far as you can in a particular competition.

"Doing that with your friends, family and young lads that you would have seen at U14 or minor, as well as having a couple of lads ahead of you that you wouldn't have played underage with. Seeing that all come together is massively exciting."