Ballyhass bonding kept Duhallow in touch amid busy club schedules

TIGHT-KNIT: Duhallow's Seamus Hickey is tackled by Douglas' Dylan Ward during the Bon Secours Cork Premier SFC quarter final at Pairc Ui Rinn. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Every Monday evening for the past two months, the Duhallow footballers have convened and recovered at the Ballyhass Lakes Adventure Centre.

It hasn’t been Duhallow games they’ve been recovering from. How could it be? The division has played only three times since the throw-in of the Cork championship proper on July’s final weekend.

It’s been their efforts in the club colours of Ballydesmond, Boherbue, Castlemagner, Cullen, Dromtarriffe, Millstreet, and Rockchapel that the Ballyhass waters and sauna cabins have offered remedy and recuperation from.

Duhallow manager Ger O’Sullivan knew exactly what he was doing in organising the Monday sessions at the Ballyhass centre.

Recovery was important for his players, obviously, but equally important was bringing his panel together on a regular basis and maintaining familiarity. If they left get-togethers until match week, sure they’d be near strangers going into each game.

The packed club schedule of late July, all of August, and early September didn’t leave very much room for Duhallow pitch sessions. Monday’s in Ballyhass, though, was convenient and of benefit to the players, their clubs, and the division they are proud to represent.

And it wasn’t just recovery at Ballyhass. There was grub laid on for the players too. A bit of video analysis was also squeezed in.

Boherbue’s Kevin Cremin is Duhallow joint captain. Ballyhass Mondays not only ensured divisional buy-in, but also kept interest high at times where there wasn’t a Duhallow championship fixture in sight.

“Back in June, we went through the unseeded section of the colleges/divisions section. We were able to train around that time because it wasn't as busy with your club. But the last few weeks with clubs playing championship in hurling and football, we haven't been able to train.

“Ballyhass on Mondays was to make sure we are coming together on a regular basis, even if we are not training,” Cremin explained.

“We don't have much time to do a whole pile on the training field, but clubs are going to have you fit and performing, so this was a means of coming together, doing a bit of video, and getting the recovery in.

“Earlier in the year, Ger organised a golf classic to raise money towards it. They have pumped money into the team with gear, and grub after training. That helps, and it certainly keeps interest high. Fellas have bought in.” 

Cremin has been around the Duhallow set-up since 2016. He was a second half sub during the 2018 county final defeat to the Barrs. He was right half-back for the 2019 county final defeat to Nemo. The current class is not even a distant relation of the side that reached back-to-back county finals.

The last three editions of the Cork Premier Intermediate football championship have been won by Duhallow clubs. Knocknagree in 2020, Newmarket a year later, and Kanturk 12 months ago.

The promotion of this trio to the Senior A ranks ate away at the Duhallow team and the availability of the Knocknagree O’Connors, the Kanturk Walshs, and the Newmarket pair of Bart Daly and Aidan Browne. And many more along with them.

When Duhallow last contested a Cork football semi-final three seasons ago, 10 of the 17 players used that afternoon hailed from the three clubs since promoted.

They are back in a Cork semi-final this Sunday. Nemo again the opposition. Their latest journey to the last four of the race for the Andy Scannell Cup is all the more impressive considering the names no longer eligible.

“Lads keep turning up for Duhallow,” full-back Cremin continued. 

“That is evident by the fact that the team has reached a county semi-final, despite some of the main feeder clubs having gone on and not being able to play with us anymore. Fellas mightn't have got their chance if those clubs were still there, but these club players are well up to the standard, and they’ve proved that.

“There is a fierce tradition in Duhallow. Fierce pride. It is an honour if you are called in to play with Duhallow. There aren't too many who refuse it.” 

Pride, tradition, defensive nous, Donncha O’Connor’s vision, and Luke Cullen’s razor-sharp point-taking all came to the fore in last Sunday’s quarter-final demotion of Douglas.

For a divisional team to come in off a five-week layoff in championship fare and come away with a double-digit victory was mightily impressive. The quick turnaround to this weekend ensures momentum will not be lost in the interim.

“We were probably a bit worried going into the quarter-final considering we had a gap of five weeks. Obviously, clubs have been going strong, but you don't know until the day if it will come together.

“On the night, we played well. We got early goals and just stayed ahead for a lot of the game. We were delighted.

“Of course, you'd love to get back to a county final, but Nemo are formidable opposition. We'll turn up on the day and if our best is good enough, it is good enough.”