Relief, joy and pride were maybe just some of the feelings floating around St. Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Rua following Thursday night's hard fought win over 2016 All-Ireland Champions Ballyboen Saint Enda’s.
2-10 to 0-13 points was the final score of a game that saw the south Dublin side actually led most of the way. The defeat means that Ballyboden are now out of the main draw while Plunkett’s who lost out at this stage last year to eventual finalists Castleknock march on.
"We knew what losing tonight would have meant for our season" said Alan Brogan afterwards having been sprung from the bench in the first half. While it’s worked out for his club this time around the former Footballer of the Year has urged Dublin GAA chiefs to examine the current system.
Brogan said; "All the big competitions have gone to a league or group format, I think for clubs that don’t have a chance of winning the championship and maybe we’re one of those. It would be better if they can find their level and get a couple of games and maybe form a B Championship out of that".
Congrats a great result:@Plunketts_ie 2-10@BodenGaa 0-13#DSFC2017 #TheToughest
— Plunketts GAA Club (@plunketts_ie) April 20, 2017
Erin's Isle concession of ten goals against Kilmacud Crokes seems to ram home his point. The downside of the structure is obvious as big teams seasons can be ended early however the upside is competitive games this early in the year when often clubs are forgotten about. However it does seem hard on the clubs who lose out.
Despite so much talent on the pitch in shape of Michael Daragh Macauley, Conal Keaney and the Basquel brothers on the Boden side and of course the Brogan family, Gareth 'Nesty' Smith and Tomás Corrigan on the Plunkett’s team, it was Paul Galvin’s name that jumped off the team sheet.
The Kerry man scored the equalising point in the second half while throughout the game he looked an assured presence operating between the half forward line and midfield. Brogan admits it was surreal to see Galvin so long the enemy at club training but says he’s glad to be his team mate.
“He has a lot of experience when he gets the ball he never gives it away. He’s a calming influence on the guys around and he’s had a really good impact". Like Brogan, Galvin is a former Footballer of the Year
"I’d say he enjoyed it out there he loves the physical challenge and it was great to see him out there with us."
Listen to what Brogan and his manager Paul Curran had to say below.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
