Stapleton looking to follow in his brothers footsteps
By Shane Brophy
Paddy Stapleton is hoping to become the second member of his immediate family to get his hands on an All Ireland Senior Club Hurling medal when he lines out for Borris-Ileigh in Sunday's final against Ballyhale Shamrocks.
Paddy's younger brother Shane won two Celtic Crosses with his adopted Cuala in 2016 and 2017 and not many, Paddy included would have thought he would have get the opportunity so soon to become a club All Ireland winner.
“That's really unbelievable because no one ever felt that we would be there, even ourselves,” said the 34-year-old defender.
“We were hoping that we could put a team together that could challenge for a county (title), but to think that we would be there a couple of years later it's crazy.
“It's a bit of a co-incidence with Shane who had a great run with them for a couple of years and we are on our run now. You would be real envious and there is no point in lying. Who would not be envious of somebody who is getting to that level, especially with the club when, you know, there is a couple of thousand clubs in Ireland and just getting that chance to bring your own club up there is just unbelievable. I am delighted now that I am getting the chance.”
Stapleton has two All Ireland senior medals in 2010 and 2016 to his credit in his distinguished career but he says the run he and the club are on is above what he experienced at inter-county level.
“It's just class. It's just unreal. It's as good a feeling as you could have playing sport,” he admitted.
“People are very excited, but compared to Tipp when it is all over the place; everywhere you drive there are flags all over the place. So, it's nice. It's very condensed. I just see it as a continuation of what we were doing. Where do the levels go? It's just that the county final was a big thing, the Munster final was a big thing and this is the same thing. It's great and it's so exciting, but it's nothing that is too over-powering.”
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