Young dual stars taking up the baton in Blackrock

A rare Féile double proves something is stirring in Blackrock writes John Riordan.

THERE are more sports than ever vying for the attentions of the nation’s youth. But if underage dominance counts for anything, then the recently secured Cork Féile double by Blackrock’s hurlers and the footballers of sister club St Michael’s must mean the famed fishing village is on the verge of a major restocking.

All-Ireland success now beckons and the hurlers are first up this weekend, travelling to Loughrea in Galway (the hurling is officially hosted by Laois/Offaly with a little help from Galway and Tipperary) where they must negotiate a way past Loughrea, Tynagh/Abbey Duniry (also Galway) and Wexford.

St Michael’s follow suit in two week’s time when they travel to Moorefield in Kildare where they will meet the hosts as well as Naas (also of Kildare) and Ballina Stephenites (Mayo). The sense of expectation for the Rockies is deep rooted. For one, the prestigious underage tournament was won by the Cork club in its inaugural year, 1971.

Tom Cashman, who would go on to captain Cork to All-Ireland success in 1986 before being intrinsically involved on the sidelines in the 1999 win, lined out that day in Thurles. Later that afternoon, his famous father, Mick, followed his son on to the pitch to mind the nets in an exhibition game.

That bloodline carries on this weekend. His younger brother Jim, another Cork All Star and All-Ireland winner, and their nephew David, a senior at the club, will mentor the current crop with the help of another big name, Wayne Sherlock.

And it doesn’t stop there because Jim’s son Niall and nephew Gavin Connolly are key members of a team this trio took over just two years ago. The cousins are dual stars to boot.

“There is a great sense of satisfaction seeing them develop,” says Jim. “We took over when they were 12 and we got hammered by Na Piarsaigh in the first game.”

That first evening is a far cry from what has quickly emerged but there’s no secret, insists Sherlock.

“You have to make sure the players are enjoying themselves,” he says. “Everyone wants to win — that’s an instinct we all have. But we try to push enjoying the game. If you take it too seriously when they’re 14, a lot of them will probably wonder what it’s going to be like when they’re 16 and it’ll make them think twice.

“You need a good strong panel of 28, 29 because over time a lot of them will leave. It’s always the same, some will push on and improve and today’s so-called stars will fall back. All you can do is stick with them.”

One ingredient that Jim does point to though is the fact that both Sherlock and David are still playing with the seniors and can be seen as reliable role models for the youngsters. “It’s great for them to see the lads playing,” says Jim. “It makes them pay a lot more attention to what Wayne or David are saying. They don’t believe that I ever played the game, even my own son! But for them to watch the two lads do it for the senior team, it does give them a big boost.”

Passing on the baton is the theme. The young Jim found himself lining out alongside the legendary Frank Cummins almost 20 years before the young Sherlock found himself lining out alongside the legendary Jim.

“I made it on to the senior panel first in 1996,” recalls Sherlock. “I had just watched Cash play for Cork against Limerick and then the following Tuesday night I was training with him. It was amazing for a young fella to have that happen. But it’s nerve wracking too. You tend to hide in the corner and hope you don’t make a mistake. That’s when the slagging starts.”

The Féile victories that have caused such a stir were themselves achieved in dramatic circumstances.

A stunning last-minute goal from Darragh Kiely brought the footballers level with Douglas before two additional points broke the hearts of their neighbours, the final score, 3-13 to 2-14. When the hurlers wrapped up the double, they were pushed all the way by a stubborn Midleton side, the contest ending 4-10 to 3-9.

Of course this success means a hectic schedule for the boys, 11 of whom will probably start for the footballers just two weeks after having competed in the Midlands.

“We have a good understanding,” points out Jamie Harrington who coaches Michael’s while also heavily involved with the senior hurlers.

“The most important thing is not to push the lads too much so we arrange matches and training sessions around each other.

“We benefit hugely from Blackrock’s ability to produce young players. For every two teams they have underage, we’d produce one. It means we have a very solid 18 or 19 players.

“There’s no secret to this. The lads have a very strong resolve, they showed that against Douglas. They have a real backbone and it’s nothing that any of us do.”

When pushed, both sets of mentors are keen to compliment increased organisation above their heads.

“But it costs money,” points out Sherlock. “The boys have been out packing bags at supermarkets and there has been other bits of fundraising.

“It’s a difficult time to be doing this but at the same time, what better way to distract people from what’s going on in the economy?

“These kids will never forget their trips to the Féile All-Ireland, win or lose. They’ll make friends for life.”