Foley’s drive to win more pays off

By Shane Brophy

When Ciaran Foley transferred to Nenagh CBS after his junior cert, it was to play in the Harty Cup and that decision certainly paid off on Saturday.

After winning an All-Ireland minor medal with Tipperary in 2022, the Borrisokane clubman decided to throw his lot in with Nenagh CBS, making the move from Borrisokane Community College, with the aim of winning a Harty Cup medal.

“Ever since I won the All-Ireland minor, I wanted to push myself on and the dream was to win more,” revealed the man of the match in Nenagh CBS’ historic win.

“We have a never-say-die attitude, we have that bite and are all so connected and drive each other on.

“We were focused on getting off to a good start as we were slow starting off in the semi-final. It was about building, stay talking to one another, and drive each other on.”

Just as in that All-Ireland minor final against Offaly, Foley is a man for the big occasion, and his two second half points were timely, but it was his switch to centre back which proved crucial.

“He (Fintan Fitzgerald) was getting on a lot of ball, and they were getting a lot of runners through the midfield, so I slotted in at centre back and tried pick up on the loose ball and deliver it in. I tried to make some runs myself because I knew there was space there,” he said.

Despite Ciaran being just in his second year at the school, he felt a special bond with his new teammates right from the start, and it played a key part in their ultimate success.

“We all said it from the start of the year that a Harty Cup would feel so much different as it is with your friends, and you go to school with them.

“I know I am only there two years, but it feels like I have been with them since I was four years of age,” Foley concluded.