Former Roscommon hurler delights after overcoming Pearses

Hugh Rooney found himself in a strange situation on Sunday.

As Rooney admitted, he was familiar with many of the Pearses players, having hurled with Oran and Roscommon while he also kicked ball with Castlerea St. Kevin’s.

Rooney was part of the Roscommon side that reached the Nickey Rackard Cup final in 2022.

He also claimed Division 3A winners’ medals in 2019 and in 2022 and helped Roscommon to the Connacht senior hurling league two years ago.

The former Roscommon hurler came off the bench to help Coolera/Strandhill to end Sligo’s 41 year wait for a Connacht SFC title and help the club enjoy their greatest day.

He stated the team’s inner belief helped them to defy their underdog status.

“There was great belief in the group that we could win today. We were written off by bookmakers and a lot of other people but we definitely believed we could win. I suppose coming from Roscommon I would have experience with the boys out in Pearses. Obviously, they are fantastic team but I still was confident we could get a result,” he stated.

After transferring to Coolera/Strandhill at the start of the year, Rooney was in shock as he spoke to the Roscommon Herald moments after the final whistle. He admits this triumph was beyond his wildest dreams.

“It was just a brilliant team performance. I couldn’t believe that when I started training with Coolera/Strandhill in February that I would be a Connacht champion. It is an amazing day for Coolera/Strandhill.

“They have a fantastic ladies team on the go and were beaten in an All Ireland semi final. The club is really on the crest of a wave. I am delighted to be a part of it after a couple of months here.

Rooney stated that his objective when joining the club wasn’t solely medals. He admits that with his wife Ruth Goodwin embedded in the club, he wanted to experience the strong connections that run deep within the ranks of the Connacht champions.

“My now wife is a Coolera/Strandhill woman. A brilliant footballer in her own right, a lot better than me, I hasten to add. That is why I’m here.

“Primarily joining the club was just a great way of meeting people, meeting new friends and meeting all the lads on the team. I love football and hurling aswell. It is great to join a dual club that has such an interest in both codes. Obviously, I loved my football in Castlerea and my hurling in Oran. It is great to continue it on down here in Sligo,” he noted.

Rooney and Goodwin have done the double over Pearses with the latter helping Coolera/Strandhill defeat the Woodmount based side in the Connacht Junior ladies football quarter final.

The pair can’t be faulted for their dedication. Rooney has worked hard and was entrusted when summoned first off the bench against Ballina Stephenites in the Connacht semi final while being called upon in extra time last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Goodwin has shown her commitment to the cause as despite herself and Rooney getting married on October 26th, she lined out in her side’s provincial decider the day afterwards as she helped her club defeat Headford outfit St. Furseys.

The connections between the men’s and women’s teams run deep with captain Peter Laffey seeing his sister Laura-Ann line out with the ladies footballers while centre back Ross O’Carroll’s wife Edwina O’Malley is also part of the group.

Coolera/Strandhill’s All Ireland Junior semi final defeat on Saturday was a tough blow for the club and especially those on the men’s side who had direct connections to the ladies footballers.

Rooney admitted it was tough to watch the club lose out to Limerick’s Mungret St. Paul’s on frees after the contest finished level following extra time.

“It was an absolutely devastating defeat for them yesterday. It was like taking some of the air out of a balloon, but we just had to forget about it last night and go again this morning,” he stated.

Despite the ladies footballer suffering a heartbreaking defeat, Rooney knows the entire club was delighted after they upset Pádraig Pearses in what he described as his greatest moment on a GAA field.

“There will be plenty of celebrating done. I am a long time playing and this is certainly the greatest and most significant achievement in my playing career,” he proudly exclaimed.