Kilcormac Killoughey bolstered by strength in depth

In 2012, Kilcormac Killoughey claimed their first Offaly senior county title, won Leinster and were narrowly beaten by St Thomas' in the All-Ireland final.

Players like goalkeeper Conor Slevin, midfielder Damien Kilmartin and centre-forward Conor Mahon were a huge part of that team, but young Adam Screeney looked on, hoping that someday he would be part of their ranks.

Fast forward to the 2024 AIB Leinster senior hurling final on Saturday evening against Na Fianna and Screeney has joined the likes of Slevin in the chase for more provincial honours.

It’s a more consistent side than in recent years too.

"It’s probably more consistent down to the strength of the panel," Slevin says. "Lads know they can’t be off the mark at any stage with the panel behind us waiting to get in."

Screeney agrees, adding: "Look at the Senior B team and what they have done (recently won Offaly title too). It’s great to have so many lads able to hurl at the same standard, up to 40 lads plus training every night and all of us are as good as one another."

Indeed, one of the panel - James Gorman - came off the bench last Sunday to help set up Screeney for the crucial goal that helped the team beat Westmeath’s Castletown-Geoghegan in the semi-final.

There are eight under-20 players on the Kilcormac Killoughey starting 15, but Screeney says it’s the more experienced lads who lead the way.

"We grew up watching the likes of Conor and Conor Mahon and Damien, and it’s great to have them with us to show us the way," he says.

Slevin, in turn, pays tribute to the young guns.

"We'd always had good underage players," he says. "We were not coming through at senior level maybe because Birr and Coolderry were so strong.

"But in 2012 we got over the line, had that first win,