Returning with a raiding party

GAELIC GAMES:Ballyboden St Enda's hurling manager Liam Hogan is an obvious candidate for interview in advance of Sunday's Leinster club final against six-time provincial champions Birr as the Coolderry native brings Dublin hurlers to the Faithful County. Gavin Cummiskeyreports

Hogan, along with selector Vincent Teehan, could spend hours recounting clashes with Birr. There are certainly a few tales about playing the Whelahan brothers - Brian, Simon and Barry.

But he refuses the bait on what must be a tug of the emotional strings when facing lifelong rivals. "This is about Ballyboden St Enda's. It's got nothing to do with Coolderry and Birr. My playing days are over. I had my 20 years playing with Coolderry. I have my share of medals and no regrets.

"What I am looking forward to is our lads going out and testing themselves against the very best and see how they get on.

"It's a big ask. Craobh Chiaráin beat us in a county final last year; Birr gave them a hammering - 2-14 to 1-10. This Birr team this year under Pad Joe (Whelahan) are better again. Our guys have to step up to the mark."

Hogan, who has been living in Rathmines in Dublin for 10 years, was immediately drawn to the GAA club that dominates that area of south Dublin.

"I heard there was a good hurling set-up in Ballyboden. I'm from a hurling background so . . . Paddy Corrigan, the Offaly hurler, was already playing there so that's how I came to be involved. Vincent joined a couple of years later."

Hogan refused to buy into the romanticism of Ballyboden's march to a first provincial final after scalping the Laois and Wexford champions just weeks after the club's first county title.

All this was achieved within the familiar confines of Parnell Park. They leave the comfort zone on Sunday as their most difficult challenge is in Tullamore. "I don't think it's going to make any difference at all. These guys have played with intercounty and college teams all over the country."

This is the Offaly duo's second season running the senior panel. Hogan notes only one lesson learned: the average fouls committed was 17 per game, it has been eight in the last nine matches. He brought in the club's two referees to provide analysis and the pulling, dragging and holding was ironed out of their game.

"I think it is because so many of them play football and the tackle in football is different to hurling. In hurling they will blow for it straight away."

Ballyboden is a football club as well. It must be difficult competing against thoroughbred hurling clubs? For example, Conal Keaney has only become a hurler again in the last couple of weeks . . .

"No, you're wrong and every journalist has that idea. Just because he is playing with the Dubs (footballers) doesn't mean he is not playing hurling.

"Okay, he played one game, coming in as a sub against Vincent's in the league, but I've never known Conal Keaney to be without a hurl in his hand. The chaps he grew up with are Ballyboden hurlers. When he is not playing football with the Dubs he is out in the field beside his house hitting a ball with his mates."

Hogan does concede the hurling versus football issue did require a chat with football manager Dan Sullivan. "Myself and Dan worked very well together this year. We have four dual players (Keaney, Shane Durkan, Simon Lambert and Stephen Hiney). We were able to work between us what training sessions the players were attending to make sure they were not over-trained or suffering from burnout. We worked it out with the players' co-operation. It just goes to show what can be achieved."

We then move into Offaly hurling territory. While he only saw the highlights of Birr's felling of All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks last weekend, he knows enough. "I think they have a brilliant mix of young and old. And they are not that old, I can tell you; Brian Whelahan has been completely rejuvenated since his move to centre forward.

"Pad Joe is the most successful club manager of all time. Last year, when he wasn't with Birr, they went down miserably against Shamrocks. He is back with them this year and you can see the difference already."

Will his own parish support Ballyboden? "I don't think so. The Cooly lads will be shouting for Birr. I would expect nothing else from them. After all they are Offaly men. Birr are the county champions and are representing the county. When Birr were winning their All-Irelands I was shouting them on."