Mullally and Kealy set for emotional clash with Rangers

Tom Mullally and Christy Kealy are set for a Leinster Championship quarter-final clash with Mount Leinster Rangers at Netwatch Cullen Park in early November after more success in Kildare with Naas last weekend.

Mullally. of course, enjoyed incredible times with Mount Leinster Rangers. There was a Leinster Intermediate Final success over Celbridge in 2011 which was followed by going all the way to All-Ireland glory at Croke Park against Middletown Na Fianna in early 2012.

Better was to follow in 2013/14 when they had a Leinster Senior semi-final win over Ballyboden St Endas before beating Oulart the Ballagh in the final.

There was an unforgettable All-Ireland semi-final win over Loughgiel Shamrocks before Joe Canning and Portumna proved too hot to handle in Croke Park on St Patricks Day in 2014.

Great memories for all of a Rangers persuasion and it was during that time that a working relationship was struck up between Mullally and his right-hand man Christy Kealy.

Over the last number of years the pair have combined their roles leading the Carlow senior hurlers and Kildare club Naas.

Under their tutelage, Carlow have pushed on to Division 1 hurling and enjoyed that brilliant McDonagh Cup final win over Offaly in 2023.

They have had success with Naas too with similar Leinster and All-Ireland Intermediate titles in 2021/22.

Last Sunday, they won their sixith successive Kildare senior title with the club, Naas have won seven in a row, with a convincing win over Maynooth.

After the game, Mullally said the Leinster tie wasn’t something preoccupying their thoughts before the Kildare final but it is something that they will obviously focus on now.

“It’s something we’ve had to put to the back of our minds,” said Mullally, who was in Netwatch Cullen Park to see Rangers beat St Mullins in August.

“I was down at the county final alright just to see it, and it was a hugely, hugely, impressive performance from them on the day. I know they’ve had football in the meantime. We’ll sit down in the week, we’ve to enjoy this, it doesn’t come around too often so it’s important we enjoy it, and we’ll sit down and try and get our heads around the challenge that’s ahead of us. It’ll be a big enough one.” 

The game is sure to bring some mixed emotions for Mullally but even more so for Rangers clubman Kealy, especially as his son Evan part of the Rangers squad.

The game is set for 9 November with the winners progressing to an away semi-final against either the Wexford or Dublin champions.