Dowling preparing for another decider with Kieran's

By Cian O'Connell

It has been an extremely busy stint for Brian Dowling. The St Kieran's and Kildare senior hurling team manager wouldn't have it any other way.

Richie Ruth is also coaching in both camps. So, training and matches are on the agenda. There is joy in the journey, and Dowling appreciates that aspect. "It is hectic when you've two teams on the go," Dowling says ahead of the St Patrick's Day Masita All-Ireland Senior A Croke Cup final against Presentation Athenry.

"Richie Ruth is with me too with Kildare and Kieran's, and Fergal Brennan is with us with Kieran's. It is hectic, but when you're winning it is enjoyable. That is the main thing.

"After tomorrow, I'll be back to focusing on the one team. I won't know what to do with my time again. I'm really enjoying it, I get a great buzz working with the lads in Kieran's."

Dowling knows all about Kieran's history. The players that have represented the school and subsequently Kilkenny at the highest level.

With 25 titles accumulated, Kieran's relish these encounters. "It is definitely where you want to be, we're buzzing for it, we can't wait for it to come around," Dowling remarks.

"It's only 10 days since the semi-final, but the last few days have dragged on.

"We finished school on Friday, we're off today (Monday), we can't wait to get going tomorrow, the lads are really looking forward to it."

Kieran's had to overcome an early setback in the campaign, losing to Kilkenny CBS in the first group match. "Sometimes, we can be slow to get going, you mightn't have a settled team," Dowling responds.

"Everyone gets out of the group anyway. We wanted to win the game, don't get me wrong, but we didn't panic, we knew we'd a long way to go after that.

"It probably didn't do us any harm because we knew if we were to win Leinster, we'd have to beat CBS again in a Leinster final or semi-final, and that is the way it panned out.

"It definitely kept lads on their toes. We were trying to get a team together, we hadn't got the team fully set-up at that stage.

"Lads were coming back from club minor, club U20, a lot of lads were with the 20s at the time with Kilkenny and it just took us a bit of time to get going. Thankfully, we did eventually."

Expectation is always attached. A winning culture has been passed through the generations, but can that be difficult for players to embrace? "There is always pressure," Dowling replies.

"When you make a Kieran's panel or get on a starting team, the pressure is there to win. Any Kieran's team, whether they're good or bad, they're expected to deliver silverware.

"This year was no different, but I think the lads look at it as a privilege, they know how hard it is to, first of all get on the panel. Anyone that is lucky enough to get on the field of play, they see it as a privilege and an honour to do that jersey justice.

"A lot of brilliant hurlers have gone on in the past and hopefully we will have many in the future. At the moment, the lads want to do the jersey as much as they can, to try to perform to the best of their ability."

Hurling remains central in St Kieran's. "There is a brilliant culture in the school," Dowling says.

"If anyone dropped in at lunchtime, they'd see 500 or 600 hundred kids pucking around. It is brilliant to see. It isn't just the senior team.

"You've first year teams, second year teams, junior hurling teams, and B teams. In the first year leagues, you'd have a great buzz around that at the start of a year, too.

"Even if you don't make the A panels, lads are still getting exposure to a lot of hurling in the school. The younger lads are going to the senior matches, they're following the team.

"They see what they can do. Some of the lads playing tomorrow, they were at the All-Ireland final two years ago, dreaming of playing for St Kieran's.

"Now, they're playing tomorrow, and that is what it is all about. They have role models in the school and they want to follow what has gone before them. It is great to see."

Hurling will always matter in St Kieran's.

Tuesday March 17

Masita All-Ireland PPS Croke Cup (Senior A Hurling) Final

St Kieran's, Kilkenny v Presentation College, Athenry, Croke Park, 1pm