Ronan Walsh: It was my first county medal, one to remember 

CASTLEHAVEN couldn’t have dreamt of a better 23/24 season as the proud West Cork club reached the summit of Cork and Munster football again.

The Haven’s Premier SFC success and then going on to claim Munster glory just over a month later was built on a very sound defence. Just four goals were conceded in the Cork championship in six games, while just one green flag was conceded in the three Munster outings and one in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat by four points to St Brigid’s.

One of the key players in the Haven team for nearly 10 years is defender Ronan Walsh who has gone under the radar for his consistent performances for his club. His man marking job on Luke Connolly in the county final was one of the reasons why the Haven lifted the Andy Scannell Cup for the first time since 2013.

“It has been a very successful year overall,” says the 27-year-old business consultant.

“If you told me this time last year that we would be county and Munster champions, I would have probably embraced that with open arms. We fell at the final hurdle in recent seasons, losing a final and two semi-finals, so to get over the line was a great relief more than anything else. Our aim is always to get to a county final. Once you get there anything can happen.

“Gaelic football is probably more about character and resilience than anything else. We have a lot of strong characters and you look around the dressing room in Castlehaven before a game and you are always in with a chance. Thankfully we kept at it and got our just rewards in the end. 10 years is a long time without winning a county championship for Castlehaven."

The Haven had been so close as Ronan mentioned above, losing to Nemo Rangers in the 2020 decider and two semi-finals to St Finbarr’s in 2021 and '22, so what changed in 2023 that got the famous West Cork club over the line?

“It would probably be a remiss of me not to mention the Castlehaven underage system,” the defender says.

“The underage club is the foundation upon which success has been built. We had a new batch of players that came onto the team last season and the conveyor belt is still on going. It’s paying dividends. The new players really brought freshness and competition for places which really helped to keep fellas motivated and contributed to our success at the end of the day. We were also extremely prepared, there was no stone left unturned. Tactically we got it spot on.” 

The final was a slog, but ultimately the Haven did enough to beat Nemo Rangers by two points, a brilliant feeling for all concerned and for Walsh one moment after the match will stay with him forever.

“To be representing the club in a county final is just hard to explain really,” he said.

“We got the job done and when the final-whistle blew it was just an emotional time. Embracing the fans and the players you have grown up with, it was a special feeling. It was a community effort. Bringing the Andy Scannell Cup into the parish of Castlehaven is something I won’t forget anytime soon. It was my first county medal, one to remember.” 

It was then the Munster championship campaign, and the Haven made it to the final against Dingle. Walsh was only seven months old when the club last lifted provincial silverware in December 1997. The drought would come to an end in the most dramatic fashion, the Haven winning on penalties.

“The contest just had everything, we were beaten a couple of times,” he said.

“We just dug in and players stood up and it was just a crazy finish. I can remember after the game embracing Larry Tompkins. It was a special feeling. 1997 was the year I was born, so naturally enough I have no memory of our last Munster success. It was a nice bonus beating a Kerry team in the final.” 

The campaign came to an end on Sunday, January 7 for Castlehaven after losing to St Brigid’s in the All-Ireland semi-final by four points, but it wouldn’t take the gloss off what was an historic season for James McCarthy’s side.

“We took the positives from the St Brigid’s game and it will stand to us big time going forward. We will be better because of it. It was a special campaign for us,” Walsh says.

The Haven will start their defence of the Premier SFC title against Clonakilty followed by games against St Michael’s and Carbery Rangers. A familiar group.

“Someone said they didn’t shake the drum hard enough,” Walsh laughs.

“It’s a tough group, but look we will be taking it game by game, like we did last season.”