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
At just 27, Eoin Kelly is already a Waterford veteran. The Passage man made his debut in 2002 and has won 3 Munster Championships and a National League medal. New manager Davy Fitzgerald decided to move Kelly to full-forward this year. The move was inspired, as Kelly became the Championship's top scorer. He notched 2-13 against Offaly in the qualifiers and 1-8 in the quarter-final win over Wexford. He grabbed 1-10 as the Déise broke new ground in the semi-final, making it to the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1963, by beating hot favourites Tipperary. A massive boost to any attack, Eoin is a deadly accurate free-taker and has proven this year that he is a natural goalgetter - meaning defenders everywhere have to keep a close eye on him.
After all the heartbreak with semi-finals, what did it feel like when Waterford finally qualified for the All-Ireland final?
It was a great feeling to qualify for the final and it was an achievement in itself. We have won Munster Championships and the National League but what we wanted to do was get to an All-Ireland final. It's the one you want to get to and the one you want to win - it was definitely the highlight of the year.
You are a very versatile player having played in midfield, the half-forwards and now at full-forward. Which is your favourite position?
It doesn't bother me where I'm playing, I'll play anywhere for Waterford, wherever I am picked. I'll play corner-back or corner-forward, I am just happy to be picked.
Who were your heroes growing up?
My heroes growing up would be the Waterford lads like Fergal Hartley, Tony Browne and Paul Flynn - some of whom I'm still playing with. Later then in 1998 it would have been Dan Shanahan.
Who are the players you admire now?
A lot of the same lads - Tony Browne, Ken McGrath and Dan Shanahan - and the
Kilkenny team - but you have to admire every inter-county player because of the training and hard work they all put in.
What team is the toughest you have faced?
Definitely Cork. We have had some very close battles in the last few years, there has only been the puck of a ball between us and they were and still are a brilliant hurling team.
Who was your toughest opponent?
I would have to say Cork's Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, but everyone at inter-county level is a tough opponent these days because of the training and work they put in.
What is the most important skill?
Striking off both sides is important but I think your work rate is very important too - it might not be looked on as a skill but it's a huge advantage to any team.
Have you any advice for young players?
Train and work hard and listen to your trainers - I had some very good trainers growing up and looking back on it, they were always trying to help and improve me. NAME: Eoin Kelly
AGE: 27
TEAM: Waterford
DEBUT: 2002 v Cork
POSITION: Full-Forward
HONOURS
3 Munster Senior titles,
1 National Hurling League title,
1 All-Star Award,
5 Waterford Senior titles (Mt Sion),
1 Waterford Intermediate title (Passage).
CLUB: Passage
FAV food: Pasta
FAV film: Wedding Crashers
FAV band: Bruce Springsteen
FAV book: Thierry Henry - the amazing life of the greatest footballer on earth
FAV TV: Friends
OCCUPATION: Brooks Building Suppliers
CúlFACT:
Eoin is a cousin of Waterford team-mate and last year's Hurler of the
Year, Dan Shanahan. |
