Ending 34-year wait for Dean Ryan the sole aim for 'unique' North Mon group

The current crop, backboned by players from Na Piarsaigh and Glen Rovers, want to create their own bit of history by adding an 11th title.

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024 - 06:31

Therese O’Callaghan

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG will be hoping to end a 34-year wait for Dean Ryan Cup (Munster U17A hurling) glory at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday (12.30pm) when they meet Rebel rivals Midleton CBS.

The 70s and 80s were memorable years for the North Mon.

The current crop, backboned by players from Na Piarsaigh and Glen Rovers, want to create their own bit of history by adding an 11th title.

There is also a Dr Harty Cup preliminary quarter-final next Wednesday - more on that anon.

“It’s a long time since we won the Dean Ryan,” Tomás Ó Mainnín says.

“There are a few fathers of lads playing that were on the 1990 team. Evan McGuckin, our joint captain, his father Barry would have played, that is probably our strongest connection.

“We’ve an excellent bunch of young fellas, we’re making the very best use of our resources. They train very hard. The thing that stands out is the leaders that are there - the likes of Luke Hurley, Craig O’Sullivan, Josh Brosnan - they are very mature for U17.

“You probably don’t get that every year. It is a unique group of players. We mightn’t have the numbers (about 250 boys), or the clubs, or players with Cork other schools have, but we have a great spirit. You can’t buy that.” It’s Wednesday we speak, and Tomás is heading to a training session in the Mardyke.

“We get great support. The Northside, they’re mad about hurling, Even getting the Mardyke, thanks to John Grainger for that.

“We’ve more or less the same management looking after Dean Ryan and Harty. They train together. Bigger schools would have two separate squads, we’re all together which creates a great bond. Everyone from third year up is training together.

“We have four starters from the Harty on the Dean Ryan - Luke Hurley, Craig O’Sullivan, Josh Brosnan and Calum Coffey. Then you have Gavin O’Callaghan and Evan McGuckin, who are probably the first two subs in on the Harty.”

The AG know the challenge they face in Midleton CBS. The east Cork school claimed back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

“Midleton sides are always formidable and I think this one in particular is. We’re effectively taking on a Cork minor squad to a degree, there is strength in Imokilly hurling at the moment. I don’t think anybody can dispute that.

“We just want to get a performance. We’ve beaten Templemore and De La Salle to reach the final. We’re under no illusions - not that Midleton are favourites - they’ve an exceptional squad with nine or 10 clubs in the starting team. We will be up against it on paper, 1200 boys.

"But it goes back to the spirit I mentioned. That never fazes our fellas. Genuinely, they see it as a bigger challenge and extra motivation.”

A victory would set them up nicely for their Harty clash with Blackwater Community School, Lismore. It’s 30 years since the Mon’s most recent title.

“There were a lot of heavy hitters in the draw, so I’m sure Lismore were smiling just as much as us, I’d say neither school was too unhappy with the draw,” he says.

“They beat us in the U17B last year, they gave us a good clipping so we’re aware how good they are.

“But look, there is great momentum in the school at the moment. We’ll try and keep it going on Friday. We’ll be up against it but we won’t be taking any backward steps either.” So, how does it feel for a Barrs man to be managing a Northside team?

“I do get a bit of slagging,” he laughs. “This is my third year in the AG. People like Tadhg Óg Murphy and Timmy Lordan who have been there for years, they’ve created a great culture. It is easy enough for us to follow on.

“I’ve fierce fondness for the lads since I went up there. Fierce spirit. You need that. That is the word I keep going back to. Up against the odds, I think they’ll use that spirit again.”