Ballyboden boss bites back at 'super club' jibes with Barrs or Dingle next

Eamon O’Reilly hit back at the negative connotations around large clubs like the Firhouse Road outfit.

Colm Basquel and Peter Healy of Ballyboden St. Enda's celebrate victory. Pic: James Lawlor, Inpho

Ballyboden St Enda’s manager Eamon O’Reilly has hailed the commitment levels of his side as they now await Dingle or St Finbarr's in an All-Ireland semi-final on January 3 or 4.

O’Reilly also hit back at the negative connotations around large clubs like the Firhouse Road outfit, but he was dwelling on the positives following this empathic Leinster final win over Athy.

“This actually shows what type of team we have – Ryan Basquel is getting married just before Christmas and Ryan had a stag last June in order to basically be fully free for the championship.

“So, that shows the type of individuals that we have in the dressing room and even from that stag, we had a match on the Tuesday night and the guys came back early.

“Whatever we ask them to do over the next three weeks, I know the boys will do it because they are bought into what they're trying to achieve and to date they've achieved it.” 

O’Reilly spoke fondly of a massive club boasting almost 4,000 members, which like other units in Dublin has from time to time been criticised for its size. “People talk about super clubs all the time. What makes a super club is super people and we've got super people right throughout the club.

“I think that's a big thing that gets missed when there's all this negative connotations around the clubs in Dublin. Clubs in Dublin are massive communities and it means an awful lot to all of us to be part of that community.

“It gives us identity and it gives us a place within a huge city. So Ballyboden St. Enda's is a massive part of every one of our lives and we're so grateful to be part of that.” 

O’Reilly will be in Thurles on Sunday to take in the Munster Club final. “Listen, we're going down to play Dingle or Finbarr’s, two unbelievably solid clubs. Brilliant clubs.

“Finbarr's have got the history behind them. Dingle have got a lot of good footballers, so whoever wins that game is going to be a massive challenge. We haven't earned the right to talk about All-Irelands.”