Ibane Gaels U21 boss: We are two small clubs doing our best to help the players

Ibane Gaels manager Danny Murphy wants his players to enjoy the occasion this weekend.

The West Cork side, an amalgamation of two clubs, Argideen Rangers and Barryroe, take on Douglas tomorrow in the McCarthy Insurance Group County U21 A Football Championship decider in Macroom at 2.30pm.

Murphy isn’t putting any extra pressure on the panel given it’s their first appearance in the final at this A grade. It could well be their last too with a new rule coming in regarding amalgamation teams.

“At the start of the year, we weren’t dreaming about counties or anything like that,” he says.

“We were going game by game in the Carbery division and when we won the final against Bantry Blues, I am not saying it felt like the end of the world, but we certainly weren’t thinking about the county series.

“Winning the Carbery title was probably the pinnacle of our expectations at that time. Given the close proximity of our manager Donal Holland passing away, it really was a special evening in Sam Maguire Park in Dunmanway.

“Lads then fell back in with the adult teams for the weeks that followed. It was only when the adult teams got knocked out that the lads decided to get back at it and start preparing for the county series.

“We have managed to go on a good run and we have just kept it going. We probably have benefited from playing in a very competitive Carbery competition.” 

Ibane Gaels defeated a strong Mallow side in the county quarter-final before getting the better of Kinsale in the last four after an epic penalty shootout.

The character and determination the West Cork outfit showed that day in the semi-final clash was marvellous. It was a game that had everything.

“It was probably a game we felt we should have won in normal time,” Murphy said, whose son Luke Murphy is a key player for Ibane Gaels.

“Having coughed up a lead in normal time, we were very lucky to claw it back and we eventually won it on penalties. While the performance wasn’t by any means perfect, the resilience shown was fantastic.

“The spirit in the group came across that day to really get over the line. It was a brilliant win and we would like to think we have improved as this year has gone on.

“To beat Kinsale in the way we did, it will give us confidence that we can compete against Douglas.” 

While lifting silverware would be nice for Ibane Gaels tomorrow, the development and learning experience for the group is also important according to the manager. 

“This is just another game for us from our point of view. Every club has its challenges. We are only two small clubs coming together to do the best we can for our players at U21 level.

“We feel strongly that we have put in good work over the years down here. We have tackled the challenges to give our players the best possible playing experience.

“You would like to think that this final is important, but you would also hope that this won’t be the last time our lads will appear in a county final.

“Win or lose, we have gotten as deep as you can go in the competition and that’s great for the development of the players. As long as we can go out against Douglas and compete and do well, we will be happy enough with that.” Murphy ended.