Kildare SF

 

Mayo friends to clash in Kildare semi-final in Newbridge

Claremorris's Vinny Walsh and Hollymount/Carramore-connected Alan Costello will put friendship and family ties aside when Sarsfields and Celbridge meet in Sunday's Kildare Senior Football Championship semi-final.

Mayo will have a keen interest in Sunday's Kildare Senior Football Championship semi-final, with two men whose roots are firmly planted in the county preparing to lead opposing teams into battle at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge.

Both have strong connections to St Coleman’s College in Claremorris, and their shared footballing history and family friendships add an extra dimension to an eagerly anticipated contest.

For the two Mayo men, however, there will be little room for sentiment when the ball is thrown in. With both teams unbeaten in this year's championship, a place in the Kildare senior final is the prize, and each manager will be determined to guide his side one step closer to county honours.

Both clubs reached last year's semi-finals before suffering defeat, making Sunday's encounter an opportunity to go further than they managed last year..

“Both teams got to this stage last year and both lost the semi-final, so one of us is going to get to a final on Sunday, which is a step further than last year,” Walsh said.

“We would have been disappointed about not getting to last year's final, losing by a point to the eventual county champions. We're looking forward to it and hoping to go that step further again this year.”

Their league campaign was less straightforward, with Walsh's side finishing fifth and missing out on a semi-final place on score difference. The Claremorris man has since overseen an impressive response, with Sarsfields building momentum and strengthening their challenge through the championship.

Walsh believes the depth of the panel has been central to their progress. The club's reserve team recently captured its championship title, providing another boost ahead of Sunday's showdown.

“I've been building this team for the last two years. We're after winning the reserve championship there last Friday night, so that gave us a great boost going into this week,” he said.

“We have a really big, strong, competitive panel. Everyone's back, everyone's playing well. We're in a good place and we've got a pretty full team to pick from.”

Celbridge will provide a serious test. Costello's side topped the Division One league table, winning nine of their eleven fixtures, before losing to Moorefield in the league semi-final. They have since regrouped and remain unbeaten in the championship.

Costello is conscious of the tradition and expectations surrounding Sarsfields, but he believes his team can make their mark if they deliver the performance required.

“Sarsfields hold the record for the most Kildare Senior Football Championships won, 25 in total in the roll of honour. There is a huge tradition there and huge expectations for success,” he said.

“Celbridge have only ever won one senior title, and that was back in 2008 when Barney Rock was the manager. So Sarsfields have that bank of championships secured and a culture of winning.”

Sarsfields have been widely installed as favourites, but Costello is not prepared to concede anything before the teams take the field.

“We will be hoping to perform well on the day and give a good account of ourselves and see where the performance takes us,” he said.

The Celbridge manager believes championship semi-finals often defy expectations, with preparation and experience important but not always decisive.

“Semi-finals can take on a life of their own,” he said. “While preparation and organisation, along with accumulated experience, are important, it is very much on the day. Sometimes it's about seeing what's in front of you and reading the game and rolling the dice.”

While the footballing stakes are considerable, the connection between the two managers stretches back decades and brings the story firmly back to Mayo.

Both attended St Coleman’s College in Claremorris, where Costello was a few years ahead of Walsh and was part of the school team that won the 1996 Connacht Colleges senior b title.

Walsh followed behind him at the school, and their paths continued to cross through football and family connections. He became particularly close to Costello's brother Dermot, with the pair playing together over the years and working with juvenile and junior teams.

Their friendship extends well beyond the football field, “Dermot was s a groomsman at my wedding”. The Costello family and Walsh have maintained their close relationship through the years, with football remaining a familiar topic whenever they meet.

Walsh has great respect for his opposite number's management abilities and has watched Costello build a strong reputation through his work with teams in Wicklow and Kildare and Carlow.

“Alan's a real good man-manager. He gets the best out of his players. He gets them all playing together. He's very tactically astute. He has Celbridge moving well,” Walsh thinks

“He knows his stuff and he's definitely getting a tune out of Celbridge.”

Costello is equally complimentary about the Claremorris man, highlighting Walsh's contribution to football in Mayo through his work with St Coleman’s and Mayo underage teams, alongside his achievements in Kildare, including previous success at senior level with Athy.

“Vinny would be good mates with my brother Dermot and we were both in St Coleman’s around the same time,” Costello said.

“He has made a big contribution to St Coleman’s and Mayo underage teams as a coach and has a strong coaching and management pedigree. Vinny would be well respected in Kildare, having achieved success at senior grade with Athy in the past.”

For Costello, management is about helping players reach their potential. His experience working with teams in Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow and Kildare has reinforced his belief in the value of teamwork and player development.

“Team sport has always been my thing and I enjoy working with people and helping them to maximise their potential,” he said.

“Facilitating people to get the best out of themselves is a very rewarding aspect of my role, and I consider it a huge privilege to be involved with Gaelic football teams.”

Sunday's encounter will see those shared values tested as the two Mayo-connected managers attempt to guide their respective clubs into the final. The other semi-final sees Maynooth face Naas on Saturday.

For Walsh and Costello, friendship will resume once the final whistle sounds, but for the hour of championship football, the focus will be entirely on their teams.

“We'll go to battle for an hour, but we'll be mates afterwards,” Walsh said.

Whatever happens at St Conleth’s Park, the result will carry a special significance back in Mayo. Two men shaped by their Claremorris connections, their footballing experiences and years of friendship will be on opposite sides, but both will be hoping to leave Newbridge with a place in the county final secured.

As Costello put it: “Either way, there will be one happy Mayo man leaving St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, on Sunday afternoon.”

https://www.mayonews.ie/sport/gaa/mayo-friends-to-clash-in-kildare-semi-final-in-newbridge-9289780