‘To win would mean everything’

IT’S not possible to think of Coolkenno without a sense of heart and community and courage and passion, qualities that every Coolkenno player wears on their sleeve when they throw on that jersey and take to the field to represent their rural parish in whatever competition it may be.

Throw in a character like Ned Rossiter and you have the true essence of the GAA, a man who lives and breathes the game, who adores the club and all belonging to it and would go through a wall to defend it. Ned says that getting to this final is a wonderful thing given the hardships being faced by many this year.

‘Unreal to be in such a position in the middle of September. It’s been a disastrous year around for some families and it’s terrible to have lost some people here around but it’s unreal what this club has meant to the area. The area is after being decimated over the last 20 years from the pub closing, shop closing, post office closed at the cross, Whelan’s of Kings Cross closed, the shop closed in Ballyconnell that left us with nothing left, basically nothing left other than the GAA club. The likes of this is a massive bonus for this club.

‘Unfortunately, we are in this position at the moment that our football team are at the wrong side of the football age. But, thankfully, we have some great chaps coming through from 16 and 17 and up along, and, hopefully, what we have coming behind them in the 7s, 9s and 11s and what have you that in the 10 or 12 years’ time we’ll have them coming on to it as well,’ he said.

Key to Coolkenno’s progress has been the performances of their younger players this year.

‘Unbelievable what those chaps are after doing. They’re after linking up with the older lads on the team. They’ve came of age in more senses than one. It’s like they have been with the older lads for the last 20 years. The likes of Eoghan Dolan and them lads, they’re hardened members of our team now even though they’re not just long on the scene,’ he said.

A question about what DonardThe Glen will bring to the occasion is met with a swift answer.

‘What can you expect from Donard only a tough game. They’re not going to Aughrim for their holidays. We’ve met Donard on numerous occasions over the last 30 years and it will be a fight and the best side will come out at the end of it.

‘We’re delighted to be meeting the likes of them. They’re running parallel along with us, small area, existing beside bigger clubs,’ he said.

And what would it mean to win this one?

‘It would mean everything, everything. I know the lads have got Senior medals in the past but this would be the icing on the cake for the younger lads and for the lads who are going over the top at the moment. There are lads who have given their life and blood to this club. There are men there who have given 25 years to this club. The Cushe family have been at the heart of this club, Patrick Dalton, Jackman, those lads could have gone to play football anywhere.

‘There’s families in this area, the Doyles, the Keoghs, and the likes of Noel Murphy, the Lord have mercy on him, and Pat Sutton and those lads who gave their lifeblood to this club. Noel Murphy began playing football for Tullow and when this club opened, they came back and put the shoulder to the wheel and never lifted the shoulder until they passed away.

‘And then you Noel’s son, Colin, taking part again. Brilliant to see them coming through. We’re blessed in a way, while I might be contradicting myself after talking about major closures, we’re blessed with the likes of Rathwood, the likes of Timmins tractors, the Crablane, Dolan’s, Flynn’s of Tullow. Those people are supporting this club day and night.

‘And, obviously, it doesn’t run smooth. We have our hiccups like everyone else but I’d like to think we have a united club and regardless of what happens on Sunday we’ll be playing championship again next year whether that be Senior or Intermediate.’