Exciting times for progressive Mungret St Paul's

By Cian O’Connell

“Satisfaction isn't lifting a trophy, satisfaction is going out, week in, week out, seeing them trying their best and improving as they go along,” Mungret St Paul’s manager Kevin O’Hagan explains about the joy of sport.

“We've just been very fortunate in the last few years that there has been a trophy at the end of it,” he adds.

This has been a particularly exciting campaign for Mungret, who claimed Limerick SFC glory earlier this month.

Now, an AIB Munster Club SFC semi-final against an accomplished Dingle outfit beckons. “It seems like a long year, you do get a bit tired, but that soon goes away when you know you're playing in the Munster Club,” O’Hagan remarks. “So, it is a great place to be.”

Like O’Hagan’s widely regarded father, Raymond, who passed away in 2019, a drive and desire exists in the Mungret St Paul’s club. “He was the vice president eventually, he was the chair before,” O’Hagan recalls.

“I think we're the only father and son that were chairpersons over the years. Of course, he was involved with Limerick himself in the 80s, he was the manager of the Limerick football team.

“He was a club man, we'd both be the same, hurling and football, it doesn't really matter to us. Once the club are doing it, we'll put our shoulder to the wheel, as they say.”

Simply, that is what has happened in Mungret St Paul’s. The Limerick SFC triumph illustrated the value and importance of sheer hard work. “For every club, nothing happens overnight,” O’Hagan replies.

“Football wise we were very competitive underage in the 80s and 90s. Then, we'd a stale period after that. With this group, you're talking about 15 years for some of these guys.

“They came down to the club at six or seven years of age, the majority of them were in that group, and they've brought this team through. So, it is over a decade of work.

“Most of this group, I've had them since they were U6. I've been fortunate to be involved with inter-county underage teams. All the time, when you're dealing with young people, and see them achieving, that is when you get satisfaction really.”

O’Hagan continues to carry out whatever role is necessary in Mungret St Paul’s. Senior football team manager and coaching officer in the club are the current titles. “I've a few other jobs too,” he laughs.

“You might see me lining the field and cutting the grass. It is your club. It is what you're part of. It is your DNA. So, there is no work in that. It is just the love of it.”

Ultimately, O’Hagan acknowledges that this is a glorious spell for Mungret St Paul’s in several different ways. Respect has been earned. “It is always important to be relevant,” O’Hagan says. “We're relevant in all codes now. We've three senior teams, including the LGFA, and we're after getting promoted in camogie this year. So, in the last five years it has been a bit of a rollercoaster.

“Really, 2023 was the most special until this year, and this year has probably surpassed it. We won a minor premier, we're currently the premier 20s football holders, and obviously the senior county holders.”

Momentum continues to be generated. “It is special because it brings all the other kids and younger people along, and the other adults when sometimes your faith is waning,” O’Hagan says.

“We're after resurrecting that. As a club, these kinds of days and years we've had in recent times, it brings everything along. Even financially as well as on the field because we're getting more support and sponsorship to reach the goals we have with our facilities.

“These things really work in favour of everyone in the club and the community. We look at ourselves as a community centre, not a clubhouse. That is the tag we go with.”

Such an inclusive environment bodes well for the future. On and off the field of play, Mungret St Paul’s are trying to help people. “We were there at the inception of the Healthy Clubs, probably 15 years ago,” O’Hagan reflects.

“We worked really hard to be part of the community vibe at the time and it went hand in hand with our facilities improving. You go down to our club any day of the week or any day at the weekend, you'll find all sorts of communities from all parts of the world there engaging in activities in the club, whether it be social or on the field.

“For us, it is hugely important. We're a growing area; we want everyone to feel welcome. That is part of the ethos of the club. Winning games is a by-product, I'd say, of the great atmosphere we have.”