THERE WILL BE a strong understanding in the defensive play of Kilcormac-Killoughey in next Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club hurling final.
The Offaly club have Ger Healion at full-back while outside him at centre-back is his twin brother Peter.
Peter Healion (left) with his twin brother Ger (right) and teammates Ciaran Slevin and Conor Mahon.
Pic@: INPHO/Donall Farmer
The pair have helped anchor the Offaly club’s march to their first ever county senior title last season with victory over St Rynagh’s.
They continued their progress with success against Wexford’s Oulart-The-Ballagh in the Leinster final in Nowlan Park last December and a victory over Thurles Sarsfields in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final in Portlaoise.
Now they hope for All-Ireland glory in Croke Park next Sunday.
Here’s six other sets of twins that have already shown the way in GAA.
1 . John and Tony McEntee (Armagh)
The pair claimed All-Ireland senior medals in 2002 with John starting at centre-forward in their victory over Kerry while Tony came on as a substitute during that game.
At club level they flourished in Croke Park starting on the Crossmaglen Rangers teams that won All-Ireland club football crowns in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2007.
Tony then took over as manager of the club side that has won the last two All-Ireland titles with John coming on as a substitute in the 2011 final win over St Brigid’s.
John McEntee
Tony McEntee
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2. Ben and Jerry O'Connor (Cork)
The Newtownshandrum twins were key figures in Cork's hurling success as they won three All-Ireland titles between 1999 and 2005.
Ben started in all three final wins, Jerry broke onto the scene for the 2004 and 2005 triumphs while Ben was the captain in 2004. Also in 2004 they achieved glory on the club stage as Ben shot 0-10 during Newtownshandrum's 0-17 to 1-6 win over Antrim's Dunloy.
Jerry (left) and Ben (right) with their niece Katie
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3. Tom and Stephen Kelly (Laois)
The St Joseph's duo won All-Ireland minor medals with Laois in 1997, Stephen's second successive medal at that grade. Then in 1998 they were both introduced as substitutes when Laois suffered defeat in the All-Ireland U21 final against Kerry.
In 2003 when Laois bridged a 57-year gap as they lifted the Leinster senior football title, Tom lined out at centre-back and struck 0-2 while Stephen was drafted in as a substitute during that final win over Kildare in Croke Park.
Tom Kelly
Stephen Kelly
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4. Angela and Ann Downey (Kilkenny)
The Kilkenny camogie stars helped their county achieve dominance during their playing careers. Between 1974 and 1994, the county won 12 All-Ireland senior camogie titles with the Downey twins central to those triumphs.
Ann Downey (left) and Angela Downey (right) with Olive Loughnane.
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5. Domhnall and Cormac O'Donovan (Clare)
The O'Donovan twins from Clonlara came to the fore in hurling in 2009 when they were part of the Clare team that won the county's historic first All-Ireland U21 title.
It was Cormac who clipped over the vital point at the death against Kilkenny in Croke Park that sealed a famous victory.
In 2008 they both won a Clare senior title with Clonlara and two years later Fitzgibbon Cup medals with NUI Galway. Domhnall is currently a regular in defence for Davy Fitzgerald's Clare senior side.
Domhnall O'Donovan
Cormac O'Donovan
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6. Maurice and Thomas O'Gorman (Waterford)
They may not hail from the most high-profile county but the O'Gorman twins have gained a reputation as highly-rated defenders for Waterford in recent years.
The pair have also impressed for Munster on the interprovincial stage as well as claiming county senior football titles with their club The Nire and having a brief stint last year with Michael Ryan's Waterford senior hurling outfit.
Maurice O'Gorman
Thomas O'Gorman
All pics by INPHO
Who have we left out?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Alan Brogan back in training with Dubs
You’ll get a free cup of tea and a ham sandwich if you go to this GAA double-header this weekend
