The dream is alive in Galway ahead of All

The domino effect of sporting success is front and centre in the village of Clarinbridge in Co Galway this week.

As the county's senior hurlers get ready to contest Sunday's All-Ireland final, the intergenerational nature of the GAA and the way it can envelop a community is plain to see at the local pitch.

Hundreds of children are out for the annual Cúl Camp, and organisers could not have got a better week for the training event, had they written away and asked for it.

In glorious sunshine, children from five to 15 are honing their skills, learning new tricks and dreaming of glory.

Clarinbridge won their first senior county title in 2001, following that up with an All-Ireland club title in 2011.

There are six players from the village on the Galway panel, with Manager Micheál Donoghue and backroom team member Derek Forde also hailing from this corner of the county.

Chris Callanan is on the Galway under-20 panel this year and remembers how past successes influenced him.

"You can see the mood down here is unreal, the whole village is just maroon and white," he said.

"It’s great to have the six lads, and everyone here sees what they put into it, then Micheál and Derek involved too, it's mighty.

"I think it's just the fact that there are so many from Clarinbridge involved.

"I remember back in 2017 [when Galway last won Liam MacCarthy], you dream of those days, and now all these children are going to be dreaming again on Sunday".

His teammate Dylan Dunne agrees.

"From under-12s up to minor, that age group is so important for development at under-20 and senior, so it’s great to see the pipeline of enthusiasm and talent that's coming through. Sunday will feed that even more," he said.

Club chairman Donal Walsh says the involvement of the likes of Gavin Lee, Joshua Ryan and the Niland brothers, Evan and Aaron, in the Galway set up has tangible benefits.

"When they last won the All-Ireland, there was great excitement when Micheál brought the cup home. It was such an emotional moment. But if he were to arrive with the cup and the six guys that are involved from here next week, it would be so, so special.

"That success feeds into everything. We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of our first county senior title this year. That brought the club on, this involvement will bring the club on too".

Nobody is doubting the scale of the challenge facing both teams on Sunday, but there is a feeling in Clarinbridge that Galway will have enough to edge proceedings.

"I give them a great chance," said Mark Kerins, former senior inter-county player.

"Obviously Galway are going in as underdogs because of Limerick’s history in All-Ireland finals and their abilities to win tight games, but I think if we are with them coming down the home straight, I’d be hopeful we can get over the line," he said.

Mannion brothers the pride of Ahascragh-Fohenagh

In the rural east Galway parish of Ahascragh-Fohenagh, local pride is centred on two of Galway's longest-serving stars, brothers Pádraic and Cathal Mannion.

Their hurling journey began at Kilglass National School, situated between Ahascragh and Caltra, where their achievements continue to inspire the next generation.

"They’re part of the parish, the two Mannions, and I play for Ahascragh-Fohenagh, I play in goal, and they do come and train us, and they’re good trainers in fairness," said current pupil Cuan Mulryan.

For Lily Quigley, reminders of the brothers’ early success are clearly visible throughout the school.

"There’s photos all around the school of them with cups and winning, Cumann na mBunscol and stuff like that, playing matches."

Réaltín Quigley Gallagher says the pair remain closely connected with their local club.

"When you go down to Fohenagh to train on a Thursday and Monday, you’d see them training."

Kilglass student James Carney has an even closer link.

"My granny is Pádraic and Cathal’s auntie and my dad’s their first cousin and I’m their second cousin," he said.

"It makes the school feel proud that they’re playing in the All-Ireland final and that they came from Kilglass."

Former Kilglass principal Michael Nee was the brothers’ first hurling coach and recalls an extraordinary dedication to sport from a young age.

"I often carried them home from school after training. They’d hop out of the car into the garden and go play hurling or football again. Lots of people would say they never left the hurl out of the hand," he said.

Meanwhile, in Athenry, more than 300 boys and girls are taking part in this week's hurling Cúl Camps, where Galway’s rising star Jason Rabbitte is inspiring young players dreaming of one day following in his footsteps.

"I feel really proud because Jason Rabbitte obviously plays for Athenry. He’s doing really well and last time we were in it [the final] was 2018, so hopefully we can win it this time," said one young participant attending the camp at Carnaun pitch, the home of St Mary’s GAA, Athenry.

For Joe Kelly, Chairperson of St Mary’s GAA Club, Sunday represents a significant milestone.

"It’s the first time in 20 years that we’ve had a starter on the Galway team. 2017 was an unbelievable success around Galway, but we were very envious and jealous of other clubs that, you know, they had the cup coming back to their clubs and they had players involved and we’re absolutely ecstatic that we have Jason.

"We couldn’t imagine anything better than Jason being able to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup back to these kids next week."

Among those coaching children at Kenny Park, the second venue for this week's camp, is Jason Rabbitte’s sister, Olwen, who, alongside her cousin Andrea Comer, has flown home from New York for the final. Andrea’s brother Daniel Comer is also part of the Galway panel.

"We wouldn’t miss it for the world, so delighted to be home for it and to get the tickets and we’re really looking forward to it as well. There’s a great atmosphere, I suppose, building up for the final," said Olwen.

"And I suppose we’re so proud of Jason on a personal level, but it’s great to see Galway back in the All-Ireland again."

As Galway prepares for one of the biggest days in its sporting calendar, legendary former manager Cyril Farrell believes the current team has the ideal blend of youth and experience to bring Liam MacCarthy west of the Shannon once again.

"This year has brought in a lot of youth into it and this great freshness, but at the same time we have five or six who have won All Irelands and sometimes when you go into a first All-Ireland with young fellas, it can be not the handiest one, but it can be the freest one because you don't realise the consequence of losing."

Farrell believes a Galway victory would spark celebrations across the province.

"If Galway can win on Sunday, we hope they do, like, you’ll have no winter in Galway."

"All of a sudden the West has come awake with Mayo winning, say the semi-final as well. The whole western seaboard again is kind of lit up and everyone is kind of hoping for success."

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