Liberty Sport

Liffey Gaels Boys to play for Dublin u/12s

Niamh O’Donoghue headed out to the Inchicore grounds to talk to Shane Cullen and Eoin Breathnach, two of Dublin’s upcoming stars

Shane Cullen gets no special treatment from the Liffey Gaels coach, even if it happens to be his father. "I get an extra pair of socks sometimes," he laughs, "but that’s it". Martin Cullen has coached his son’s team for the past five years. Both admit there have been arguments but they are always left on the pitch.

Shane and his team-mate Eoin Breathnach arrive early at the Inchicore grounds for training, armed with gear bags and wide grins. They are smiling because they have made it onto the under -twelve Dublin panel. Eoin seems unfazed by the important task of donning the blue jersey but admits he is excited. The trials were in January and the first training session is planned for Easter weekend.

RIGHT: Shane Cullen and team-mate, Eoin Breathnach

He is no stranger to Croke park as he helped to entertain 60,000 people at the half time interval of the Dublin/Kildare replay in the youths mini matches. "I was very nervous that day," he says. Being an avid Dublin supporter, he was disappointed that they lost, especially to Kildare who are his most hated team after Meath.

It is unusual to note that the boys are skilled in both hurling and football. Martin points out that the club is very hurling orientated. Shane and Eoin have played together since they were seven. When asked if they ever fight, there is a slight pause, they grin at each other and then both reply in unison "No, we get on well." Martin is very proud of his players’ achievement, "they are good lads, the confidence is there, maybe too much at times." In his opinion they are on one of the best juvenile teams in the club. They won the under-ten league and then came second in under-eleven the following year.

Eoin is the more talkative of the two and he likes to let the referee know what he thinks. "I shout at the ref all the time, but he says nothing." This sturdy midfielder thinks that ‘his long kick and tough shoulder’ are enough to overcome the toughest opponents. "I was sent off once but that was a mistake, I was booked twice but the second one wasn’t a foul."

Shane blushes and shuffles from one foot to the other as his modesty and shyness prevent him from describing his best footballing attributes. His father and team mate quickly step in, "Shane has a good long kick and is good at blocking," Martin responds. "He sticks to his marker and stays in a position when he is put in it." Eoin is also confident of the half back’s abilities, "he won’t let a player by him." Shane does admit that he prefers football because he thinks he is better at it.

The rest of the team start to trundle in the gates, both on foot and on bikes with hurls in hands. Shane and Eoin greet them with the nick names customary to young lads. The boys begin to debate what was there best match. They finally settle on the Cuman trophy victory, a one day tournament in O Toole park last year. Eoin got a goal and a point and Shane played outstanding at half back. Although Shane is one of their best defenders, he has never been sent off. If someone is niggling him he waits for his opportunity. "I don’t let the ref see me," he grins, "I wait till its off the ball." Eoin says that compared to Shane he "gets in the most fights" between the two of them.

Martin hopes that a good Dublin underage team can be developed. "We hope to get three teams from both the south side and the north side and then get a good team out of it." They expect to eventually travel around the country. The club caters for a wide area, Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Bluebell, Chapelizod, Rialto and Crumlin. "We’ve always had a great few lads from James Street." says Martin. The teams range from under-ten to under-16, minors and six camogie teams. The club is 110 years old and the present clubhouse was built in 1988.

They are planning to build an extension with an indoor games room. Club member Tony Boxwel is very proud of the club, "every team plays hurling and football". Girls football is also in the planning stage.

There is training on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and games on Saturday mornings. County board coach Niamh Leahy also helps the local coaches out. The Leinster GAA Summer camps were held at the Liffey Gaels club for the last two years. They hold skills competitions. "Some of the Dublin players come out and train them and they get brought to Croke park to the museum." says Martin.

Round Towers are the Liffey Gaels biggest rivals in the area. Both sides have played each other about six times in the last three years. When other teams are annoyed about losing to the Liffey Gaels, Eoin’s mum says ‘its just sour grapes.’ Bernard Lenin, under-ten coach, is an inter-county referee in hurling and umpire in football. "The hardest part is getting the whole team playing together, when there is always a few sick." It is clear that the coach’s task is not an easy one, trying to keep 15 twelve year old boys in line. He says that Eoin and Shane have been very little trouble, "I don’t get very much cheek."

Eoin’s most embarrassing moment was when, as under-ten captain, he had to present flowers to Collete, Martin’s wife, in the presence of Jason Sherlock. "I had a speech, but it goes into my head and goes out one ear. I just said to her, here."

The rest of the team are now making their way up the steps from the dressing rooms on to the pitch. Shane and Eoin get ready to join the fray and who knows, one day they could be running on to Croke park to the roar of the Canal End. One wonders whether Shane will still be getting an extra quota of football socks.