Kilkenny’s new captain has a typically GAA attitude when it comes to leading his men

Mark Bergin will give it his all during his stint as Kilkenny captain. You can be damned sure about that.

Bergin gives nothing away without an almighty scrap. Just ask these lads... The O'Loughlin Gaels man has been named Kilkenny captain for 2017 and is hoping to take his fine club form onto the inter-county scene. Bergin, who is a primary school teacher, is a man that gives his all for the cause. He is not a star in Kilkenny hurling circles but he's got absolutely no problem with that. Having broke into the senior panel back in 2012, Bergin has been in and out of the starting team. He missed out on the panel for last year's All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary but will be hoping to kick on this year. Kilkenny's hurlers still follow the tradition of the club champions nominating a captain for the inter-county panel. It puts Bergin in the unusual position of having to captain the legendary likes of Richie Hogan and TJ Reid. He does not seem fazed by the task at hand, however, and his attitude is typically modest and team-centred. It is typically GAA. He told KCLR:

"Look to be honest, I am not much of a talker, I just go about my business. Being captain while it’s a great honour off the field and that, on the field there are so many leaders in the Kilkenny dressing room that have been there for 10, 12 years. "I am only here back on the panel, this is my 2nd year so in terms of experience there is other lads in the dressing room, the likes of Richie Hogan, the Fennellys, Paul Murphy, Joey Holden and these lads TJ Reid, they have been there for so long. "They have captained Kilkenny, they are the leaders in the dressing room. I am just rowing in behind them and I am going to do my best."

Trying to bed into a panel littered with born winners will be tough but trying to do so as the newly minted captain will take some mental strength. Bergin will give it his all. Typically.