'Castlerahan till I die' - Flanagan determined to make it count

IFC final preview

In the dressing-room before any of Castlerahan’s five successive county final appearances between 2015 and 2019, Enda Flanagan was joined by his brothers Ronan and Fergal. In the last of those finals, the trio all started.

This time around, it’s different. Ronan has retired and Fergal returned late to the fray this year meaning Enda will fly the flag for the clan in this Sunday’s Intermediate Championship decider. For him, it’s all the same; club is family, regardless, and he makes no bones about his love for the maroon and white.

“Well Fergal is still togging out, he might get a run next week, you wouldn’t know. It’s no different, sure we’re football-mad, we’re Castlerahan-mad and that’s the main thing at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter if it’s an U12 game on at the pitch or an U15 game, we’ll be there, Castlerahan through and through.

“And even when we do finish up, I’ll still be Castlerahan till I die and that’s just the way it will be.”

Times have changed around Fay Park; Castlerahan can no longer be regarded as of the very best teams in the county and for a group who set themselves such high standards over the years, that stings. Relegation hit like a sudden, unexpected tremor but the players were determined there would be no after-shocks.

They’re back in the intermediate final at the first time of asking and, says Flanagan, they’re enjoying the build-up.

“This one is right up there with the rest of them. Any time you get to a county final, it’s always very nice and it’s great for the club I suppose to be excited again and preparing for a county final.

“Of course, it (relegation) hurt a massive amount. Luckily enough in football it’s a quick turnaround. Luckily enough too, we had Brian coming in, who’s very enthusiastic and John and Mark who have done Trojan work. They set our mindset straight away to what we needed to do to get back to where we want to be – and that was the plan from the start of the year, get back to where we wanted to be. And we’re on our way hopefully.

“We look at it that we let our club down last year performance-wise so this year was about righting the wrong and giving everything we have every time we wear the jersey.

“That’s all you can do and that’s all anyone can ask. I think we’ve done that so far.”

This squad’s journey has been a long and colourful one. Flanagan counts himself blessed to have been a part of it. Donning the jersey was his dream as a kid and for 10 years, he has lived it.

“Very, very lucky. When you’re a young lad, all you want to do is play with your senior team. You go to watch them – when I was watching them, they were intermediate and then they went to senior. Ever since, very lucky from 2015 onwards to make finals.

“We had heartbreak, I had nights when I didn’t sleep but we eventually got over that line and to go again next week… All you want to do when you’re playing football is prepare for the big days and luckily enough we are.”

For a side which once had a reputation as being unable to get over the line, they are now known for their resilience and bravery in a tight spot. Where did that transformation come from?

“It takes the losses to get that belief. I remember talking to you before, in 2019 it felt like we were never going to lose a game. We are patient, we are controlled and all the lads know what they need to do when we’re on the pitch and get to where we need to be come 63, 64 minutes in the game.”

Cuchulainns pushed them all the way in two matches.

“I was always confident there was a big finish in us alright but I suppose Adam (O’Reilly) and Ruairi (O’Connell) both had goal chances and if they had gone in, it could have been a different game. Football is all about ifs and buts, luckily enough we took the chances when we got them and that’s what it’s about I suppose.

“We’ve definitely been tested, I don’t think we’ve had any game easy at all. From game one, they were all very tough. I think Ballyhaise rested a lot of players against us, they are a very, very good side so we’re looking forward to playing them again.

“They have very good players and you don’t get to a final without being a good team. So, yeah, they’re a very good team.”

Nerves will be a factor on Sunday but experience has taught Flanagan to embrace them, turn them into a positive. What message will he impart to the big-day rookies? Simple – seize the moment.

“There are a few lads coming into their first final so I’m sure there will definitely be nerves but as I always say, nerves are good, it means you care. It will be exciting for everybody.

“You just can’t let the game so past you, that’s the main thing, because it can go past you – I know all about it. Just play in the moment, play the next ball and give everything you have and that’s all you can ask from anybody – get involved, want the ball and enjoy it.”