| Men on a mission  A
truly all-Irish team Robert Emmetts are on the brink of the greatest day
in British club GAA. All four provinces are represented on the panel and
on Sunday at Croke Park the London champions will bid to become the first
ever British club to win an All-Ireland club title. Here are the players
who stand on the verge of history.
Colm Buckley
(Cork) Goalkeeper.
Age 30
Occupation: Telecom engineer.
The Banteer native is enjoying his eighth season with Robert Emmetts.
He has numerous honours for his native county as well as London including
a minor and U-21 All-Ireland hurling medal and also three provincial medals
with Cork.
Luke Mannix
(Cork) Corner-Back.
Age 28
Occupation: Accountant.
Enjoying his second season with Robert Emmetts, Luke is a fine accomplished
player who can operate in any of the defensive positions. A native of
Fermoy, Luke earned college and inter-county honours including Harty and
Fitzgibbon Cups as well as intermediate provincial honours for the Rebel
County.
Sean McLoughlin
(Dublin) Full-Back
Age 26
Occupation: IT Analyst.
A relatively new addition from the St. Judes club, along with captain
Fergus McMahon the tall Dubliner forms a solid defensive spine in the
team. Has enjoyed a tremendous season and is sure to have quite a duel
with Killimordaly’s John Duane.
Cillian O’Murchu
(Waterford) Corner-Back
Age 25
Occupation: Systems Analyst.
A native Irish speaker from An Rinn Gaeltacht in Co. Waterford, Cillian
is enjoying his second season in the blue and gold. A talented dual player,
Cillian has won honours for the Deise in U-21 football and hurling.
Brian Foley
(Cork) — Wing-Back
Age 28
Occupation: Electrician.
After an outstanding performance in the 2005 Nicky Rackard Cup final,
Brian will be looking forward to his return to Croke Park. Hailing from
Charleville and now in his fourth season with Robert Emmetts, the dual
star also has a host of honours in both codes for his home club and native
county.
Fergus McMahon
(Meath) Centre-Back
Age 28
Occupation: Carpenter.
Robert Emmetts captain and talisman Fergus is undoubtedly one of the greatest
London hurlers of the present decade. A born leader who has already climbed
the steps of the Ard Comhairle to collect the Nicky Rackard Cup on behalf
of London in 2005, the Kildalkey man would like nothing better than to
repeat the exercise for his own club. A commanding figure at the heart
of the Emmetts’ rearguard, McMahon’s consistent performances
have taken his club to the brink of All-Ireland glory as well as earning
him back-to-back Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring Champion 15 accolades.
John Dillon
(Limerick) Wing-Back
Age 27
Occupation: Electrician.
Another hero from London’s Nicky Rackard Cup success in 2005, John
is a vital cog in the Robert Emmetts half-back line. Epitomises the tremendous
‘never-say-die’ spirit within the current squad. Expected
to produce yet another top performance on his return to Croke Park.
Eddie Carey
(Tipperary) Midfield
Age 29
Occupation: Bank official.
A former county minor and U-21 star for the Premier County. The Mullinahone
man has had an outstanding year for his club and provides that special
quality of being able to pick off vital scores in tense situations. Has
recently struck up a very effective partnership with Tadhg Callaghan that
could provide the ideal platform in the team’s quest for All-Ireland
glory.
Tadhg Callaghan
(Cork) Midfield
Age 28
Occupation: Carpenter.
Having starred for his native county at Munster and All-Ireland level,
the much travelled Tadhg Callaghan now finds himself contesting yet another
All-Ireland title only a matter of months since arriving in London. Was
an instant hit when introduced during the Championship semi-final at wing-back
but has now moved to midfield. Has previously starred overseas in New
York and New South Wales, Australia. Jim Ryan
(Cork) Centre-Forward
Age 27
Occupation: Architect.
Came close to giving a man-of-the-match performance for London in the
2005 Nicky Rackard Cup final and is sure to relish a return to GAA headquarters.
Scored a stunning goal in the semi-final that tipped the balance in his
team’s favour against Clooney-Quin. A former Fr O’Neill’s
clubman where he also achieved considerable success before moving to London,
Jim also holds a Nicky Rackard Cup Champion 15 accolade.
Seanie Quinn
(Antrim) Half-Forward
Age 26
Occupation: Plasterer.
Seanie will always be remembered in London hurling circles for his ‘super-sub’
appearance in the 2005 Nicky Rackard Cup final when he came on midway
through the second-half to score a memorable goal which eventually led
his side’s comprehensive victory over Louth. A lion-hearted ‘will
o’ the wisp’, Seanie is set to cause all sorts of problems
to Killimordaly’s defence.
Kevin McMullen
(Antrim) Corner-Forward
Age 26
Occupation: Bricklayer.
Another goal-scorer from the 2005 Nicky Rackard Cup final, Kevin McMullen
has also been getting among the scoring consistently this season. After
enjoying considerable success for Cushendall and Antrim, Kevin has also
made an instant impact at club and county level in London.
John Quinlan
(Cork) Full-forward
Age 28
Occupation: Carpenter
Since his debut in the championship semi-final, John’s scores from
play and placed balls have earned him rave reviews as well as taken his
side to an All-Ireland club final. His clash with Iomar Creaven will be
one of the duels of the game and if he gets the better of the Killimordaly
full back, then the cup could well be on the way across the Irish Sea.
Mark Traynor
(Antrim) Corner-Forward
Age 28
Occupation: Joiner.
Missed the club’s memorable semi-final victory in Limerick but will
be pressing for a place in the starting line-up at Croke Park. The Loughgiel
man is enjoying his third season in the blue and gold. The seventh Nicky
Rackard Cup medal holder in the Emmetts’ line-up.
Brian Keane
(Galway) Forward
Age 29
Occupation: Construction manager
Nobody in the Robert Emmetts camp will know more about the opposition
than Loughrea man Brian. Made a rare start in the semi-final. In his fourth
season with Robert Emmetts which is his third London club after an impressive
career that includes five county medals and four Collins Cups. Also a
former Galway U-21 star.
Alan Moloney
(Tipperary)
Age 29
A loyal consistent and dependable performer, Alan has played his part
in Robert Emmetts tremendous progress since the start of the millennium.
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