Former inter-county referee Eddie Kinsella has steered the Laois Under 20 Footballers into Friday's EirGrid Leinster Final against Dublin.
By Cian O’Connell
Just over a decade ago Eddie Kinsella sensed something was about to stir in Laois.
Like any parent gathering at an underage training throughout the country, Kinsella was struck by the sporting possibilities which existed. There is always hope.
A string of the players who participated in those St Paul’s sessions will be involved in Friday’s EirGrid Leinster Under 20 Final in the royal blue and white of Laois against Dublin. The hunch wasn’t misplaced.
Kinsella, who refereed the All Ireland SFC decider between Kerry and Donegal in 2014, has been with them nearly every step of the way.
Becoming an inter-county manager was a challenge Kinsella wanted to embrace. “It is a step up for me too so to do well in my first year in it is nice,” Kinsella stresses.
“It would be a lot better if we can win on Friday night. This will be a big step up for us on Friday, I'm hoping we are able to take it.
“Obviously not too many weak teams come out of Dublin, the odds are completely against us, but you never know. Favourites don't always win matches.”
That is something Kinsella has learned. Courtwood and Emo amalgamate as St Paul's in the juvenile grades with Kinsella occupying a central role recently; respect has been earned.
Kinsella, though, derived huge satisfaction from steering Courtwood to Laois Intermediate glory in 2018. The journey had commenced long before that trophy was hoisted.
Eddie Kinsella took charge of the 2014 All Ireland SFC Final between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park.
“It started off with the young lads, my own young lad was involved - Sean O'Flynn, Niall Dunne, Cian Doyle, and Matthew Byron were all there at that age group coming up along,” Kinsella recalls.
“What brought me there was my own young lad at the start, then when I got into it I always just took them up along from Under 12s up to minor, now to Under 20s.
“That is what got me into it, I stayed involved then. When you are winning it is handier and we were successful in that age group. Then we got the adult club over the line and now I'm hoping to get this over the line.”
Huge satisfaction can be gleaned from assisting emerging footballers according to Kinsella. “I can remember them young lads, Sean O'Flynn and the chaps I was talking about when they were eight or nine years of age playing Under 10, Niall Dunne too,” Kinsella remarks.
“I thought there was something special in them, even at that age group. They are all up playing in senior and Under 20 teams, they are doing great with their clubs in both Courtwood and Emo, all the lads.
“They are flying it, they are Under 20 now the age group I did manage. They are after winning everything. You have four or five of them involved and this game will be massive for them. A couple of them are up with the senior team too so everything is going well.”
As an official Kinsella experienced Croke Park on a September Sunday. It was a significant achievement, but first and foremost Kinsella was always a Courtwood clubman. “I've managed all the time for maybe 10 or 12 years bringing up the one team all the way along at juvenile level,” Kinsella admits.
“Then with my own club two years ago we were successful in the Championship for the first time in 30 years or so. That was special. When I took this job I was looking forward to this. Everything is going well at the moment.
“With the refereeing I had to retire in 2016 so this took over completely. I haven't refereed a match in over two years now, I'm so much involved in this and too big into the management side of things.
Eddie Kinsella retired as an inter-county official in 2016.
“It is grand, it kind of helps you in a way and I've said it before you have similarities between refereeing and managing. Making decisions, the right decisions is important for a manager too and referees.
“You are trying to get everything right from the sideline, like you would when you were on the field. Players, management, and referees it nearly all comes from the one circle.”
Renowned for their splendid underage teams in the 90s and early 00s, Laois now are enjoying an encouraging stint once more. Reaching two Under 20 provincial finals on the spin suggests that important work is being carried out.
“It is great, there could be about six or seven of the lads, who started in last year's final starting in this year's final,” Kinsella says.
“So it is all good for the senior team in a year or two time when these lads progress. That is what it is all about, progressing young lads up to play at senior level. There is plenty of talent here, getting them ready for senior is our job. Once we are there we have a chance.”
Kinsella accepts there is a sense of optimism in Laois. “I think so, I think Laois football is in a good place,” Kinsella replies. “We have a bit of work to do to stay in Division Two, that would be great. These Under 20s are in a second final so everything looks good for the future.
“I feel Laois could be in a good place in two or three years time, I'm not saying they are in a bad place now or anything, but everything is going well. There is a buzz around the county, which is good.
“We are training in great facilities in Portlaoise. Everything is good, there is a great buzz there now. The mojo is back a little bit.”
Kinsella is doing his bit to keep the show on the road.
Friday March 6
EirGrid Leinster Under 20 Football Final
Laois v Dublin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7.30pm
