O'Loughlin Gaels to welcome prominent hurler into their ranks - Kilkenny Live

Kerry Senior Hurler and Long Puck champion, Fionan Mackessy, is expected to join Kilkenny club O'Loughlin Gaels in a matter of weeks.

The news follows weeks of speculation that he would be joining a club in the city.

The Kerry man holds an impressive hurling CV to date, winning a National Poc Fada title and earning places on the 2022 Sigerson and Fitzgibbon teams of the year.

Speaking to Kerry's Eye, St Brendan's Hurling Club Chairman, Ger Hussey, said: "Fionan will be a massive loss to St Brendans because he was always a player well ahead of his time."

"He played in the Féile with us when he was only 11 years old; he won a county minor hurling championship with us when he was only 15 so he has been a massive leader in our club from a young age. We wish him the best and to be fair he said he had to try it. He said that other fellas didn't do it and he said he might regret it if he didn’t give it a go. I wished him all the best and look what more can you say once he has decided to go. I told him if he ever wants to come back to St Brendans we will welcome him back with open arms," Mr Hussey commented.

The Kerry centre-back will be a welcome addition to the County and Leinster champions, joining a defence full of inter-county experience with Mikey Butler, Paddy Deegan and Huw Lawlor amongst its armory.