Clubcall: The captains

Kilkenny: Denis Byrne, Graigue-Ballycallan - Byrne ushered in a historic chapter in the local championship last year when playing…

Kilkenny: Denis Byrne, Graigue-Ballycallan - Byrne ushered in a historic chapter in the local championship last year when playing at left full forward in the Craigue-Ballycallan team that won the county senior hurling title for the first time. That came after winning the county junior title in 1985 and the intermediate title in 1987. The club has also experienced success at all primary school and under-age levels since the two ends of the parish merged in 1969 as two junior club sides.

Founded: 1969 - when Graige merged with Ballycallan. Number of county senior titles: 1. Players on current panel: Denis Byrne. Captains of All-Ireland winning teams: None. Parish Base: Graigue-Ballycallen. Population of catchment area: 1200. Club Members: 100.

Cork: Mark Landers, Killeagh - As one of the smaller clubs in the county, Killeagh claimed the county junior hurling championship in 1995 and has been playing at intermediate level since. Last year they lost the county final to Castlelyons, who had Timmy McCarthy in their side. Situated on the main Cork to Youghal road, it has a small population area but a great tradition in hurling and has the unprecedented honour of providing full forward Joe Deane and substitute goalkeeper Bernard Rochford as well as Landers on this year's Cork side.

Founded: 1885. Number of county senior titles: None. Players on current panel: Mark Landers, Joe Deane, Bernard Rochford. Captains of All-Ireland winning teams: None. Parish Base: Killeagh. Population of catchment area: 1500-2000. Club Members: 200.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics