In attendance at the Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Captains Call at Croke Park in Dublin are, from left, Joseph McLoughlin of St Killian's College, Ben O'Sullivan and Joe O'Keeffe of Blackwater Community College. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
Adversity can either break you or make you, and it seems like it’s been a case of the latter for the Blackwater Community School U-19 hurlers.
For most of their time in secondary school this group of players experienced very little success on the hurling pitch, but all that changed this year when they won the Masita Post Primary Schools Munster U-19 Hurling ‘B’ Final.
Now they’re just one win away from going out on the ultimate high as they prepare to play St. Killian’s Garron Tower from Antrim in the Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Paddy Buggy Cup Final on Saturday.
Team manager, Fintan O’Connor, couldn’t be happier the Blackwater boys are finally getting some reward for all the effort they’ve given during their time in the school which is located in Lismore, Waterford.
“Their persistence is very admirable,” says the former Kerry senior hurling team manager. “Because we were up in the Harty and playing in Dean Ryan 'A' competitions and things like that, they haven't won many games.
“It's harder when you're competing in the 'A'. You're competing but you're not winning. Some of these lads hadn't won a game in schools hurling until this year.
“And with Covid as well they hadn't played that many games. This year the U-17s won the Munster 'B' which is great. And these U-19s are obviously on a run as well which is brilliant.”
When Blackwater Community School opened in 2003 it was an amalgamation of three local schools – Lismore CBS, Presentation Convent, Lismore, and St. Anne’s Secondary School, Cappoquin.
Right from the get-got hurling was a big part of the sporting curriculum, and over time the school has developed vibrant links with the GAA clubs of West Waterford.
“We'd probably have 12 clubs in West Waterford that would all be coming in,” says O’Connor.
“All the clubs got together and did a fundraiser to help us for the semi-final and final.
“We had a table quiz there a couple of weeks ago and the parents from each club around the locality came along. Even the clubs kind of came in behind it and gave a few bob towards buses and gear and stuff for the lads.
“It's a Community School and it's nice to have that community support. All the clubs are proud of their own lads which is lovely.
“West Waterford would be a small enough area. The clubs are so used to each other, they're all going to school in our place, and then they're playing against each other at the weekend and coming in on Monday and slagging each other. They're fairly close so it's nice that way.”
Blackwater will go into Saturday’s All-Ireland Final as slight favourites, but O’Connor is very wary of the challenge posed by a St. Killian’s side that boasts some up and coming young Antrim county hurlers.
“We're expecting a serious test,” he says. “We saw how good they were in the Ulster Final. In fairness, young Joe McLaughlin needs no introduction. He's playing senior hurling with Antrim. He's played with Cushendall. So he's done it all.
“We're expecting a real tough battle. They have some really good hurlers, and, I suppose having the insight being in Kerry and going up to Antrim, I know what to expect. Antrim lads are so passionate about their hurling and it means so much to them I can only imagine how motivated they wiil be.
"The message to our lads is to embrace it and give it your best shot and perform as best you can and see where that takes you. It's a savage good level of hurling and you just want them to go out there and perform and do their best."
Saturday, March 16
Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Paddy Buggy Cup Final
St Killian's College, Garron Tower v Blackwater Community School, NGDC Abbotstown, 1.30pm
Tickets for the match can be purchased HERE.
