Oisin O'Connell: 'Winning is a habit, once you get going, you can't stop'

Masters of the dual arts, Aghabullogue have been consistently excelling in both codes for the last number of years, and doing so to a level that few clubs, if any, can match.

Following on from their Intermediate A football and hurling championship double in the 2023 season, the Coachford club were back on the double charge once more in 2025.

First, getting promoted to Senior A football after defeating Uibh Laoire in the PIFC decider, before then immediately bouncing back from 2024’s Premier Intermediate hurling relegation to pip Bandon to the IAHC county title.

Balancing both codes is difficult, but to consistently win and sustain a high level in both is another matter.

For Aghabullogue and Oisin O’Connell, it all goes back to the very beginning, and the way they’re introduced to hurling and football from six and seven years old.

“That kind of week-on-week basis is something we've been doing since a very young age, so it's just second nature to us now,” O’Connell begins. “I definitely think once you have momentum in either code, it's brilliant to bring it into the game, and it makes training way easier.

“You have a focus going in already, and you have a good mindset going into the game. So it's very helpful.” 

Second nature isn’t an exaggeration, either. It’s almost indoctrinated into Aghabullogue’s players from the very beginning, and it’s a habit that continues all the way through to adult level.

“From when I started, it was always on a week-on-week basis,” O’Connell says. “It was one week hurling, one week football, and no one would dwell on the fact that there was never more time given to one code or the other.

“Every fella enjoyed playing, they enjoyed training. So I think the dual club was just something we embraced from an early age, and we kind of know no better now.

“There’s a great group of lads there, and we'd all be very friendly with each other and stuff.

“But I think the most important part is just having craic below in training to make sure there's a good atmosphere.

“And I think that just makes training and matches and kind of getting along with each other way easier. And just winning is a habit, I suppose. Once you get going at it, you can't really stop it.

“It's kind of hard to explain, but I just think that when you start something that young and you kind of know no different, it's just second nature to you when you come to do it at the end of it,” he adds. “When you're winning and things are going well, it's very easy to embrace the dual club aspect, so it kind of makes it very easy in the end.” 

Winning has been the constant habit over the last few years. Granted, suffering demotion from the PIHC wasn’t part of the plan, but they responded well.

And, winning the Division 4 title last season to secure promotion to the third tier of the football leagues has been a welcome bonus, too.

“For the last couple of years in the league, we didn't do too well in it,” Oisin explains. “But being my first year up and stuff, I thought it was kind of a great way to get a bit of momentum behind you before you went into the championship.

“And it was a good way to get to know where you were and where you stand before you go into the championship. So I thought it was really beneficial.” 

There is no secret formula in Aghabullogue. For them, it is simply the way things have always been done.

And, done well.