Strong Newport influence on Tipp Minor squad

By Thomas Conway

PULL QUOTE: “They’d always be talking about hurling and talking about playing for Newport and Tipperary”

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a club, and indeed a school, to raise an inter-county hurler.

The pride of donning the Tipperary jersey is certainly not lost on the people of Newport GAA club. Flick on to the Tulach Sheasta website and you will find a seemingly infinite list of Newport players and managers who have represented or managed Tipperary, from underage right up to senior. In total it contains 227 names, extending from Martin Ahearne, who won an All-Ireland Junior title with Tipp in 1924, to the legendary Conor O’Mahony, All-Ireland senior medallist from 2010.

The last four names on the list, however, are the most relevant. Colm Ryan, Oisín Kennedy, Ollie Roche, and Aaron Lane are all part of this year’s Tipperary minor hurling panel. No other club has as many players on the squad. It leads you to conclude that either there is something in the water of the Mulcair River, or Newport GAA club has just built an extraordinarily effective development pathway for its underage players.

Of course, behind every player is a set of coaches and mentors who have helped to shape their evolution. Hugh McLoughlin has managed this Newport quartet since they were six or seven years of age. He explains that they are “part of a good group” which has essentially been “winning all the way up” both in hurling and in football to a slightly lesser extent.

Dave Minogue, meanwhile, is a maths teacher in St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport. He has observed three of the lads – Aaron, Oisín & Ollie – on the hurling field since they were in first year and coached them as part of the school’s under-17 and senior sides. He isn’t quite as knowledgeable about Colm, who goes to school in Limerick, but he has seen enough of him to know that the Tipp cornerback is a potent and powerful hurler.

It goes without saying that this All-Ireland final will be a special occasion for each one of the players, but it will have added significance for Colm. As a student in Limerick’s foremost hurling nursery, Ard Scoil Rís, he is in a unique position. He is directly exposed to Limerick hurling culture and walks hallways decorated with pictures of former students like Declan Hannon and Cian Lynch. After all, Ard Scoil Ris was practically the cradle of Limerick’s golden generation.

Psychologically however, Hugh says that that Limerick connection will only serve to motivate Colm further. One of his main assets is his work-rate. He is simply relentless. “He has a great engine on him. He’s a super worker,” Hugh chirps. “He’d go all day long.”

‘A great character’

The other probable member of Tipp’s starting fifteen, Oisín Kennedy, has a number of qualities which make him an ideal wing-back. Hugh says that Oisín is “a great man to win a ball but also a great man to distribute.” Perhaps most crucially, he is “a great man in the dressing-room, with a great character.”

Dave echoes this latter statement, noting that Oisín has “a great head on him” and describing him as “a good, level-headed young fellow.” Interestingly, he adds that the Tipp wingback is also well able to attack. St. Mary’s frequently deploy him in midfield or in the half-forward line. He loves to surge forward. Added to all that, Dave says he is “very strong under the high ball.”

Dave describes Ollie as “a stylish forward and a man who is well able to take a score.” He is also “very reliable” but of all the attributes he possesses, it is his positional sense that stands out. He is forever making these clever, incisive runs.

In Hugh’s view Ollie is a “brilliant finisher,” and can be counted upon to deliver when the stakes are high.” According to Dave, Aaron would be “a tough back, a good defender,” who uses his strength on the ball well and has excellent aerial ability. He’s also a tight man-marker, willing to sacrifice his own game for the sake of the team should the need arise. Hugh has a slightly different perspective, which perhaps indicates how well rounded a player Aaron is. “He’s a skilful back; you could call him. Plenty of class as well. Very versatile,” he says.

Hard Work

Both Hugh and Dave are effusive in their praise of the lads. While all four players showed huge promise from an early age and had immense natural talent, their success was never guaranteed. Their progression up the ranks was underpinned by hard work.

Hugh says that all four deserve this, because “they have worked so hard – and not just in the last nine months. They’ve put it in over the years.” Dave also praises their level of dedication and commitment. He is speaking about Aaron, Oisín, and Ollie, but what he says can almost certainly be applied to Colm as well.

“Hurling plays a huge part in their lives. Sport plays a huge part in their lives. They’d always be talking about hurling and talking about playing for Newport and Tipperary,” he says.

Hugh also points out that all four are “good club men,” who consistently show up to matches and training to support their teammates from the sideline. They might be totally invested in their journey with Tipp, but they have not forgotten about their club.

The Newport GAA website also contains a list of the clubs past minor All-Ireland winners, featuring names such as Cian Flanagan (2016), Ger Bradley (1982), Tim Floyd (1976) and a host of others. Should things go to plan this weekend, that list will expand dramatically.

There is a sense, however, that irrespective of which way this All-Ireland minor final unfolds, Colm, Oisín, Aaron, and Ollie have already done their club and their schools proud. Newport is well accustomed to big sporting days. Next Saturday will be another.