We have seen lots of great hurlers in the club championships down through the years.
The Likes of Henry Shefflin, Joe Canning and Ben O’Connor are just three examples that automatically spring to mind.
The one thing these lads had is that they were already known from playing county before they came to prominence with their clubs.
This article is about Hurlers who came to the fore via the club championships, and because the Leinster Senior Club Hurling Final is this Sunday, here are just Five of many examples of those who became stars while playing for their clubs.
1. Mark Bergin – O’Loughlin Gaels
Bergin was a serious underage county hurler, there’s no question about that. At Senior level he became known largely due to his performances for O’Loughlin Gaels back in 2010-2011 when they reached the All Ireland Final.
Mark was prominent from both frees and placed balls as a then 21 year old and has graduated to the Kilkenny Senior Team in recent years.
He will be in action this Sunday for O’Loughlin Gaels when they face Cuala in the provincial decider which will be live here on KCLR
2. Ciaran Slevin – Kilcormac Killoughey
Slevin wasn’t really noted as a county hurler, but he definitely led the way for his club on route to their Leinster Final success in 2012.
In fact the Offaly side reached the All Ireland Final in 2013 only to lose out to St Thomas’ of Galway. This run of form led to Slevin getting increased game time with Offaly.
3. Denis Murphy – Mount Leinster Rangers
What Mount Leinster Rangers achieved in 2013-2014 was nothing short of sensational!
Key to that success was top marksman Denis Murphy.
Denis had played Senior for Carlow and starred, but he only started getting the recognition he deserved when MLR made the breakthrough.
4. Johnny Maher – Loughrea
Right so the video below may not exactly be the prime example of how to be disciplined, but in fairness it’s bloody hilarious!
Loughrea faced St Thomas in the Galway Senior Hurling Final four years ago and a certain Johnny Maher rose to national acclaim, largely because of the schkelps he was throwing in this clip!
Despite this outburst Maher actually led the charge for Loughrea and actually appeared in an All Ireland club final in the mid 00’s!
5. Eoin Larkin – James Stephens
Eoin Larkin made his Kilkenny Senior Hurling debut in 2005.
But before that happened he was shooting the lights out for James Stephens on route to their Leinster Senior success in 2004 and All Ireland Success the following March.
It was here that Larkin became known nationally and he hasn’t done too bad since to be fair!