Manguard Plus GAA Centre of Excellence, Newbridge, Co Kildare: Saturday, March 23 - 4pm
All systems go for Boher boys and management
BOHERBUE Comprehensive School coach Kevin Roche hails from Kilmallock - hurling terrain, yet his focus over recent weeks has centred on Saturday’s All-Ireland Colleges SFC. Given the status of football within the division, Boherbue are well primed to create a big impression. En route, they have answered all the posers asked, the team management not surprised by their work rate and intensity from players drawn from Boherbue, Ballydesmond, Cullen, Dromtariffe, Kiskeam and Rockchapel.
“Our team comes from a huge football catchment area. There has been terrific work undertaken at club level down to juvenile ranks”, said Kevin. “These lads have broken into club U21 teams and adult teams. Some of these players are big men, playing a really good standard of football.”
The Duhallow school attempts to build upon the promise from recent seasons though denied the opportunity to reach the decider.
“Two years ago, reaching the All-Ireland semi-final we lost to Belmullet. Last season, it was a Munster semi-final defeat to Rathkeale. It’s difficult to judge a team from season to season, with the turnaround of players, but we were delighted to face into a good challenge in Munster and progress,” he said.
Boherbue have been excellent all season, their scoring tallies impressive, yet they received a searching test of their credentials against Baile Bhúirne in the Munster Final.
“It was a funny game where we needed late goals to get over the line and finish with a 7-8 tally. There is much talk about defensive football, but we operate differently by playing attacking football,” said Kevin.
For all involved with Boherbue CS, it’s been a case of looking ahead to the next game and negotiating the hurdle, as they did so against Bettystown of Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final.
“We were expecting a big challenge, they had clocked up big wins, but Boherbue hit the ground running and everything went right on the day,” said Kevin.
However, all involved with Boherbue recognise that they’ve a serious task on their hands in Saturday’s decider.
“Ballybay come from a proud and strong football county. Nobody is expecting that it will be easy. Given the distance between the schools, we haven’t seen them, but they are reckoned to be a quality side. That means we will prepare as best we can and adapt to our own game plan,” said Kevin.
Whatever the result on Saturday, football in Boherbue Comprehensive School is in a healthy state, and a huge effort has gone into developing a talented squad.
“The thrill and joy at the end of matches clearly demonstrates the importance of games. It’s at these times, coming up to an All-Ireland Final, that one really appreciates the impact of the GAA in the community,” said the team coach.