Brogan’s coach plays down talk of beating Rathdowney

ST BROGAN’S College, Bandon are on course to make it a double when they play St Fergal’s College (Rathdowney) in the All-Ireland vocational schools SHC final at Cahir today (3.30pm).

Two years ago, the West Cork school created history by winning the double for the first time, and with their footballers also on the All-Ireland trail again, there is an air of optimism sweeping through the college.

For Danny O’Callaghan and David Lynch it would be a fantastic achievement as they are the sole survivors from the 2004 triumphs. But team coach Jerry Walsh cautions against any talk of victory today.

“I saw Rathdowney in their semi-final against Roscrea and was highly impressed.

“Their stickwork was superb, and were full value for their nine point win. Don’t forget Roscrea defeated us in the Munster final by a goal, so that should make St Fergal’s favourites.

“We have never met them in an All-Ireland final before so there is no history between us, but from what I saw in their semi-final, we’ll have to be at our very best to retain the title.

“Our form against defending All-Ireland champions Borrisokane in the Munster semi-final and the resilience we showed against Loughrea in the All-Ireland semi-final would be good enough to win it for us.

“Sadly, a cloud has been put on our preparations by the sudden death Jerome Lordan, father of one of our players, Cian.”

Brogan’s were expected to win the Munster final, but never reached the heights of their semi-final win over Borrisokane. The backdoor system meant the new Munster champions failed at the All-Ireland semi-final stage while Brogans went on to the final.

The Bandon school have a very good team, back-boned by three county minors: Darren Crowley, Gavin O’Riordan and Danny O’Callaghan. David Lynch is a very good full-back while Crowley and O’Callaghan are excellent forwards.

Rathdowney, coached by John Casey, will be without Kevin Fennelly, who is still recovering from a broken collar bone sustained in the Leinster semi-final against Ballyhale. However, they include three Laois county minors in Mathew Whelan, Brian Galvin and Neil Hyland.

Casey said: “I saw Brogans in the Munster final against Roscrea and felt they left that game after them. They looked six points a better team than Roscrea.

“This is our second senior final appearance. We lost the 1994 decider to Athenry, but we have won two junior All-Ireland titles back in 1982 and ‘85.

“Brogan’s are physically stronger than us, but we more than compensate for that with some very good exponents of the game.

“Our form against Roscrea in the semi-final was very good, but you would expect that as they are just over the border from us and there would be a healthy sporting rivalry. We’ve been improving steadily in every game, but this is the acid test for us.”