Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
It’s been another incredible year for Kilkenny’s Eddie Brennan. The big Graigue-Ballycallan man has been in the form of his life and has found the net for The Cats at crucial times in the big Championship games this season.
After defeat in the National League final to Waterford it was business as usual for Kilkenny as they romped to a three-in-a-row of Leinster titles with victories over Offaly and Wexford. The quarter-final against Galway was a very tight game with both sides level after 60 minutes but then like a flash of lightening it was the Fast Eddie show. In two blistering moves he had rattled the Galway net to leave the Tribesmen shell-shocked.
It was another All-Ireland final for Eddie, and this time against Limerick.
Brennan was lethal on the day scoring a wonder goal in the 9th minute and adding four more points. Limerick had no answer and The Cats went on to claim their 30th All-Ireland title and draw level with Cork in the all-time standings. For Eddie, it was his 5th All-Ireland medal and he was also named as the Man of the Match. Not a bad days work!
It’s been another great year for the Cats. How do ye keep the
standards so high?
With so many good players around, the competition for places is huge. Everyone has to work really hard and keep on their toes.
What has been your greatest sporting moment with The Cats?
Meeting my father after just winning the 2000 All-Ireland final. The final whistle had just gone and I spotted him in the crowd. I went over to him and gave him the match ball; it was a special moment.
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
Cork in the 2004 All-Ireland final, they were simply awesome on the day. We have had some tough games with Clare as well in the last few years.
Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
I found it very hard to get scores off Wayne Sherlock. A great hurler with a great hurling brain, ones of Cork’s best over the last few years.
Which players do you admire the most?
I was always a big fan of Offaly’s Johnny Dooley. Of the current Kilkenny squad you would have to say that Henry Shefflin and Tommy Walsh are fantastic role models for the game.
Who were your childhood heroes?
Graigue-Ballycallan’s Adrian Ronan was my hero growing up, he won an All-Ireland with Kilkenny in 1993 when they beat Galway. DJ Carey was another great inspiration.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Graigue-Ballycallan and our biggest rivals would be Tullaroan. We reached the All-Ireland Club final in 2001 only to be beaten by Athenry, that was very disappointing but we hope to be back there some day.
Do you have any superstitions?
When I run out onto the pitch I like to puck my first ball wide, then I hope they all go over after that.
What are your hopes for the future?
We want to stay playing at the high standards we have set for ourselves and hopefully go on and win a few more All-Ireland titles.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
First touch is the main thing. I would say practise, practise, practise and your first touch will come naturally.
What advice would you give to young players?
Take all the advice you are given on board and be willing to make sacrifices.
Name: Eddie Brennan
Age: 29
Team: Kilkenny
Debut: 2000 v Dublin
Position: Corner-Forward
Honours:
5 All-Ireland Senior titles,
1 All-Ireland U-21 title,
7 Leinster Senior titles,
4 National Hurling League titles,
2 Railway Cup titles,
1 Leinster Club title,
2 County Club titles,
2 All-Star Awards.
Club: Graigue-Ballycallan
Fav Food: Italian
Fav Book: Lance Armstrong
Fav Band: Feeder
Fav Film: Cinderella Man
Fav TV: The Simpsons
Hobbies: Golf and fishing
Occupation: Garda
CúlFACT:
Eddie played in an All-Ireland Senior Hurling final before playing Senior Championship with his club Graigue-Ballycallan in Kilkenny. Can you believe that?
© September 2007 |
