Vocational Schools’ Senior All-Ireland Hurling Final ‘06
After years of losing semi-finals and finals, after being defeated time and time again, after being told that hurling in Laois was dead and we were nothing, this Rathdowney side proved that there is always a chance, there is always hope.
The hurlers of St. Fergal’s College led a Laois team to the Promised Land when most people laughed at the prospect of it. These lads made history, and did so by beating the best teams in the country. Kilcormac and Banagher, Co. Offaly, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and finally Bandon, Co. Cork. Who would ever have thought a Laois side would ever beat a Cork side in an All-Ireland Final? These lads did.
The game started at a frantic pace with both teams playing quality hurling. Willie Hyland showed his true mix of passion and skill by putting up some first class points for Fergal’s to give them the lead after fifteen minutes.
The opposition danger man for Bandon, Danny O’ Callaghan showed some fine flashes of potential but overall was extremely well handled by Fergal’s rock solid full back Jim Doyle.
The Bandon lads found it hard to keep up with St. Fergal’s during this period in the match. Near the end of the first-half Conor Dunne had to leave the field of play due to injury, however his direct replacement Kevin Finlay made a huge impact on his introduction and caused all sorts of problems for the Bandon back line.
Going in at half-time Fergal’s led, the score line read Fergal’s 0-10,
Bandon 1-4.
The Fergal’s players themselves will look back in years to come and reflect on the depth of passions aroused in the dressing room during that couple of minutes together. Something that could only be described as an unbreakable bond, which these players had, was undoubtedly the key to their unbelievable level of skill, discipline, courage and the most vital factor of any team, heart. Rather than re-entering the second half as men possessed with these factors they re-entered it as men blessed with these factors.
The second half again was fought by these special group of players with unmatched determination, each player imagining the sliotar not as a ball, but as a last gasp of air that they simply couldn’t live without. It was this level of determination that saw them stay level with Bandon.
With extra time having to be played the Laois boys realised how close they were to making history. Most players returned to the game with severe bruises and blood stained jerseys. They looked like wounded warriors but played like stone giants. Eddie Shirley bagged the all-important goal as well as tagging on a point to see Fergal’s go four ahead on the call of half time in extra time.
Within a minute of the restart Bandon got a goal back and also a point leaving the sides level with just two minutes remaining. A “65” created by Kevin Finlay was converted by the tower of strength himself Matthew Whelan. From the puck out another “65” was awarded and the same man made no mistake as he rarely does and pointed once again to leave Fergal’s ahead by two points. The resultant puck out was the last stroke of the ball in the game but also the very last ball hit while this team of players were together.
The whistle sounded to the feeling of elation and ecstasy felt by players, mentors and spectators alike. That moment will be relived forever by the people present who witnessed this achievement.
The 22nd of April was not a day when tears of joy were discreetly hidden but rather openly embraced by everyone. Colm Comerford played well and pulled off some fine saves. Once again the full back line was exceptional with fantastic displays from Doyle, Stapleton and Delaney. Joe Phelan and Andrew Kavanagh were outstanding, fighting like demons until the final whistle. As for centre back Matthew Whelan, this man deserves special mention. A pure leader on the field and a pure gentleman off it, Whelan has taken the word ability to a new level and in my own opinion is one of the best young hurlers in the country. He is blessed. Noel Delaney was a powerhouse at mid-field covering every inch of the field and hitting a mountain of ball during the game. Brian Galvin’s stick work was simply a joy to behold. John Phelan totally cancelled out Bandon’s centre back Darren Ryan while Willie Hyland showed once again that he is a class act to watch. He kept Fergal’s in the game in the first half with some exceptional scores and also delivering inch perfect passes to the inside forwards. The full forward line of Bergin, Kavanagh and Shirley worked tirelessly every time in the Fergal’s jersey and hassled their backs into making mistakes. They deserve huge credit. As do Kevin Finlay who scored an inspirational point and also Aidan Donovan who came on and Luke Maher who played his heart out making several crucial hooks and blocks and dominated the centre area with Delaney.
I would also like to thank John Casey and Alan Delaney for their commitment and dedication to the team. The trophy belongs to them more than anyone else.
Finally I would like to say to all the players of St. Fergal’s that it has been my greatest joy and privilege to have been part of such a special panel of players and I will be forever grateful for the years we all soldiered beside one another……………………ALL IRELAND CHAMPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summary of Article Written by Conor Dunne for Yearbook 05/06
Copyright © St. Fergal’s College.
The Stuff That Dreams are made of ……………………
After years of losing semi-finals and finals, after being defeated time and time again, after being told that hurling in Laois was dead and we were nothing, this Rathdowney side proved that there is always a chance, there is always hope.
The hurlers of St. Fergal’s College led a Laois team to the Promised Land when most people laughed at the prospect of it. These lads made history, and did so by beating the best teams in the country. Kilcormac and Banagher, Co. Offaly, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and finally Bandon, Co. Cork. Who would ever have thought a Laois side would ever beat a Cork side in an All-Ireland Final? These lads did.
The game started at a frantic pace with both teams playing quality hurling. Willie Hyland showed his true mix of passion and skill by putting up some first class points for Fergal’s to give them the lead after fifteen minutes.
The opposition danger man for Bandon, Danny O’ Callaghan showed some fine flashes of potential but overall was extremely well handled by Fergal’s rock solid full back Jim Doyle.
The Bandon lads found it hard to keep up with St. Fergal’s during this period in the match. Near the end of the first-half Conor Dunne had to leave the field of play due to injury, however his direct replacement Kevin Finlay made a huge impact on his introduction and caused all sorts of problems for the Bandon back line.
Bandon 1-4.
The Fergal’s players themselves will look back in years to come and reflect on the depth of passions aroused in the dressing room during that couple of minutes together. Something that could only be described as an unbreakable bond, which these players had, was undoubtedly the key to their unbelievable level of skill, discipline, courage and the most vital factor of any team, heart. Rather than re-entering the second half as men possessed with these factors they re-entered it as men blessed with these factors.
The second half again was fought by these special group of players with unmatched determination, each player imagining the sliotar not as a ball, but as a last gasp of air that they simply couldn’t live without. It was this level of determination that saw them stay level with Bandon.
With extra time having to be played the Laois boys realised how close they were to making history. Most players returned to the game with severe bruises and blood stained jerseys. They looked like wounded warriors but played like stone giants. Eddie Shirley bagged the all-important goal as well as tagging on a point to see Fergal’s go four ahead on the call of half time in extra time.
Within a minute of the restart Bandon got a goal back and also a point leaving the sides level with just two minutes remaining. A “65” created by Kevin Finlay was converted by the tower of strength himself Matthew Whelan. From the puck out another “65” was awarded and the same man made no mistake as he rarely does and pointed once again to leave Fergal’s ahead by two points. The resultant puck out was the last stroke of the ball in the game but also the very last ball hit while this team of players were together.
The whistle sounded to the feeling of elation and ecstasy felt by players, mentors and spectators alike. That moment will be relived forever by the people present who witnessed this achievement.
The 22nd of April was not a day when tears of joy were discreetly hidden but rather openly embraced by everyone. Colm Comerford played well and pulled off some fine saves. Once again the full back line was exceptional with fantastic displays from Doyle, Stapleton and Delaney. Joe Phelan and Andrew Kavanagh were outstanding, fighting like demons until the final whistle. As for centre back Matthew Whelan, this man deserves special mention. A pure leader on the field and a pure gentleman off it, Whelan has taken the word ability to a new level and in my own opinion is one of the best young hurlers in the country. He is blessed. Noel Delaney was a powerhouse at mid-field covering every inch of the field and hitting a mountain of ball during the game. Brian Galvin’s stick work was simply a joy to behold. John Phelan totally cancelled out Bandon’s centre back Darren Ryan while Willie Hyland showed once again that he is a class act to watch. He kept Fergal’s in the game in the first half with some exceptional scores and also delivering inch perfect passes to the inside forwards. The full forward line of Bergin, Kavanagh and Shirley worked tirelessly every time in the Fergal’s jersey and hassled their backs into making mistakes. They deserve huge credit. As do Kevin Finlay who scored an inspirational point and also Aidan Donovan who came on and Luke Maher who played his heart out making several crucial hooks and blocks and dominated the centre area with Delaney.
I would also like to thank John Casey and Alan Delaney for their commitment and dedication to the team. The trophy belongs to them more than anyone else.
Finally I would like to say to all the players of St. Fergal’s that it has been my greatest joy and privilege to have been part of such a special panel of players and I will be forever grateful for the years we all soldiered beside one another……………………ALL IRELAND CHAMPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summary of Article Written by Conor Dunne for Yearbook 05/06
Copyright © St. Fergal’s College.
