Talented Ballyskenach-Killavilla twins seek transfer to Shinrone

TALENTED young football and hurling twins have sought a transfer from Ballyskenach-Killavilla to Shinrone.

Rob and Fionn Carney made their application to a meeting of the Offaly GAA County Board on Tuesday evening and it will now be dealt with by the Competitions Control Committee, who will make a recommendation on whether it should be approved or not to their  February meeting.

The young players were minor this year, starring as they won a Minor Football Championship title with Cloghan and playing county. They are unique in that they have emerged as very talented footballers despite coming from an almost exclusively hurling area in Ballyskenach-Killavilla – Ballyskenach-Killavilla were beaten by Ballycommon in the junior “C” final last year but the Carney’s could not play as they were still minor.

They were both outstanding on the Offaly minor football team this year with Rob a physically strong and powerful player, capable of bursting through at pace. Fionn is a delightfully skilful footballer with a real eye for the posts.

Their progress onto county football teams is very unusual but they got into the development squad system at a young age, starred on successful Cloghan teams (a St Rynagh’s led amalgamation of players from across the wider south Offaly area) and have really taken to the game. Rob Carney also played for Offaly minor hurlers and their transfer request was the most noteworthy among the 14 applications at Tuesday’s meeting.

They would be a huge loss to Ballyskenach-Killavilla, now a junior club, and it remains to be seen if they object. They have the option of either approving the transfers or objecting to them.

While young, they would be a welcome boost to Shinrone who have been hit with the loss of several players to emigration for 2024.