The St. Joseph's Donaghmore team that will contest the Masita Post Primary Schools All-Ireland SFC 'B' Final on Saturday.
By John Harrington
St Joseph’s, Donaghmore’s journey to Saturday’s Masita All-Ireland Colleges SFC ‘B’ Final against Abbey CBS has been one of steady progress.
They’ve been operating at this level for the last three years and their MacLarnon Cup victory in Ulster was the first in the history of the school.
This All-Ireland Final represents more uncharted waters, and the entire school community is buzzing at the prospect.
“Winning our first MacLarnon Cup meant everything,” says team manager Niall Kelly.
“It was our first ever and it meant everything. We started off three years ago playing in the MacLarnon and we struggled to get out of the group, we got to the semi-final last year, so to get to the final this year and win it was massive for the school.
“It was a really enjoyable process and now we're in an All-Ireland Final and the whole school morale and buzz even amongst ex-pupils and parents has been huge. The whole community is right behind us.
“It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're looking forward to it.”
Tyrone football teams traditionally might have more pedigree than Tipperary ones, but Kelly is well aware that Abbey CBS will very potent opposition on Saturday.
In attendance at the Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Captains Call at Croke Park in Dublin were, from left, Paddy Downey of Abbey CBS and Ronan Molloy of St Joseph's Grammar Donaghmore.
They’ve been competitive at this grade for longer than St. Joseph’s have, and have shown a lot of character to win a series of ferociously hard-fought matches on the way to this Final.
“They're a very good team and the school has a great tradition,” says Kelly. “In 2016 they were in the final of this competition, they've won three of the last four Munster 'B' titles so they're more experienced at this than we are.
“They've been here time and time again and are experienced campaigners who are used to days like this. They're littered with Limerick and Tipperary minors and have displayed serious bouncebackability during their campaign as well. They've come from behind in every game they've played and won every game so far.
“John Kiely is their school principal and is a huge sporting man and they have Conor Sweeney as one of their coaches so this Tipperary team will be well primed and ready to go. We definitely won't be underestimating them.
“We're under no illusions of the task ahead of us. We're expecting them to be very physically strong and very aggressive. That's what we're preparing for.”
The big variable in schools finals is how the players themselves react to the occasion. Some shrink, and others grow.
Kelly is confident his players won’t be overawed now that the stakes are higher than ever.
“We'll stick to the same routine we have all year. The only difference is we have to go a little bit longer on the bus. But we'll get the boom-box out and have the music going, that's what they do. They like their own routines and we'll let them go at it and treat it like any other game.
“I know it's an All-Ireland Final and it's easy to say that, the stakes are higher, but I think the experience of playing the MacLarnon Final under lights in the Dub with a big crowd at that game should have them well prepared.
“These boys thrive on the big occasion. We were upset with how we played in the Ulster Final, we felt we underperformed, so we're trying to right a few wrongs on Saturday.
“The school is buzzing. The bus is filled out, they're all ready to rock. This is the first time the school has ever been at this level. We've won a few 'C' titles but this is the first time we've ever contested a 'B' Final.
“The school is going mad and everyone is looking forward to it, the headbands are all ready to go and we'll be coming in numbers on Saturday.”
