Seán Howley and Joey Christie, right, of Boyne CS Trim, Meath, ahead of their Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools C Hurling Final against Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest, Limerick, during the Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Finals Captains Call at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
There’s a huge passion for the game in Meath’s hurling heartland which is why Boyne Community School’s progress to tomorrow’s Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup (Senior C Hurling) Final has caused such a buzz.
It’s the first time the school has reached an All-Ireland Final and a huge crowd of Meath hurling enthusiasts is expected to descend on Banagher to roar them on against Scoil Mhuire & Ide Newcastle West from Limerick.
“There's an unreal buzz in the school,” says team manager, Niall Regan.
“We won the semi-final on a Saturday and it was great to see such a huge support from pupils and teachers at the game.
“Everyone has been talking about the final and wishing us the best of luck, it's been brilliant.
“We're in a pocket of Meath where you'd have six or seven hurling clubs around us that feed us. Clubs like Raythmoylan, Trim, Kilmessan, Kiltale, Na Fianna, there’s a good few strong hurling clubs, and they've been giving us huge support too.
“Even just to see it on their social media, all the messages of good luck for the lads. All the clubs have a massive buy into it.”
Unity of purpose has been a real theme for Boyne Community School’s run to this All-Ireland Final.
Fellow pupils took it upon themselves to organise buses to matches so they could support the team to the hilt, and the players themselves have driven the standards necessary to make it this far.
“They're a very tight bunch,” says Regan. “Early on in the year we had massive numbers who wanted to play hurling which was great to see.
“The lads set a standard early in the year. They were saying this is the level of commitment that we want to show this year and it was very player-led which was great.
“Early on in the year we said we know we have a good panel here, we have good potential, and we want to give it a right go. They set the stall out themselves.”
Boyne Community School players and supporters celebrate after their Leinster Final victory.
Those leadership skills have surely helped Boyne CS come through some seriously tough battles on the way to tomorrow’s final.
Three of their matches went to extra-time and one of those was won on penalties.
The hardest game of all was the 2-19 to 2-18 All-Ireland semi-final victory over Coláiste Einde from Galway that was played on a very heavy pitch that made the match a draining battle both physically and mentally.
“We're lucky we have good characters in the group,” says Regan. “They set their stall out early on in the year in terms of how they wanted to conduct themselves and I think they've stuck to it very well.
“Even the last day it was a very dogged match but they just kept to their standards and stood up and played their own game. They’re good lads.
“They're very focused on the performance, that's always been the way for them, they're very level-headed.
“We had played on astro-turf for the five matches prior to the All-Ireland semi-final so it was definitely a change and I think the astro-turf did suit us in those games as well.
“The lads just showed they can play on any surface. The resilience they have shown this year has been unreal.”
Boyne go into tomorrow’s Final as underdogs against a Scoil Mhuire & Ide Newcastle West team speckled with players from the Limerick U20 and minor panels, but such has been the character and quality they’ve displayed to make it this far you certainly wouldn’t write off their chances.
“We’re coming up against a big team but the lads are very level-headed and have gained confidence from digging out games like they have,” says Regan.
“Then the fact that the All-Ireland semi-final was such a physical game and they still stood up and came out on top seems to have given them confidence too.
“They're excited more so than nervous which is great to see. This is the first time the school has ever gotten to play in an All-Ireland Final. They qualified for one previously but then Covid came and they weren't able to play in it.
“So, it's a massive occasion for the school and it would be unreal to win it. The resilience and the standard that the lads have shown throughout the year has been excellent, so if they focus on the performance now then I think they'll have a great chance.”
Friday, March 14
Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup (Senior C Hurling) Final
Scoil Mhuire & Ide Newcastle West v Boyne Community School, Trim, Banagher 1pm.
You can watch a live stream of the match here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WL9dAgNiQg
