Ben O’Carroll on overcoming club final disappointment: 'You just have to get back into it'

Ben O'Carroll sets his sights on goal as Johnny McGrath closes in.

For the second time in a week, there was no sign or team sheet indicating Ben O’Carroll would play. In both games, the St Brigid’s star emerged to delight spectators and lead the line.

O’Carroll’s form has been remarkable. He kicked 0-3 in the All-Ireland club final as St Brigid’s fell agonisingly short against Derry and Ulster champions Glen. It brought his club campaign total to 7-25.

Last Wednesday he returned to action in the Sigerson Cup, coming on as UCD overcame University of Galway in Dangan. UCD did not provide a team in time for the programme that day.

It was a similar story on Sunday. O’Carroll wasn’t included in the Roscommon 26 for Galway’s visit. A late change saw him come into the squad in place of Jack Duggan.

He started, scored a point and lasted until the final whistle. Did he get any break between club, college and county commitments?

“I did. I got the week off after the final. More than the Glen lads anyway,” he says with a smile.

“Very, very disappointed after the final. You just have to get back into it. It is great to be playing again. It takes your mind off it.”

The churn does not stop. UCD play UL in the Sigerson Cup semi-final on Thursday. This week O’Carroll will take part in his first Roscommon training session since that Croke Park final. On Thursday he heads for SETU Carlow.

“The lads have probably done more training than me,” O’Carroll explains.

“I’ve been just playing games really. I was back on Wednesday. I just went to that game. I knew I wasn’t going to be playing the full game that day. John (Divilly) told me I wasn’t going to be starting anyway, so I just came on in that game. It wasn’t too bad.

“I haven’t really trained with Roscommon since the final. I just played today. I’ll train with Roscommon on Tuesday and play against UL on Thursday. That is the plan.”

He is happy to stick with it while it is working. Sticking at it is integral to his game. His work-rate, even when starved of ball, is a standout feature. O’Carroll was on the fringes of the Allianz League tie for the opening half.

After the break Galway started to close in and O’Carroll came to the fore, kicking a left-footed beauty as they held on to draw. He openly admits to occasionally feeling exasperated but knows the task is to stay calm for when the chance comes.

“You’re trying to be patient, but you do get frustrated when you can’t get on the ball. You start to get frustrated. You might force things then a bit. The key is not to force things when you get the ball then.”

It doesn’t get any easier either. Not up Roscommon face a trip to Croke Park. O’Carroll is pretty familiar with the place at this stage. He lost a U20 decider there in 2021.

He lined out in the draw against Dublin in 2023 and returned again last month. Not that he is putting any stock in the fact they have faced the All-Ireland champions at home already, though.

“We know it’s going to be really tough against Dublin in two weeks’ time. We just have to get down and focus on that. It doesn’t change anything.”