Gillooly inspired by past All-Ireland triumphs

When the 20x20 campaign was launched five years ago with a key goal to encourage greater female participation in sport, the slogan used was “if she can’t see it she can’t be it.”

The simple message was to encourage greater media coverage for women’s sporting events alongside trying to boost attendances in order for the next generation to see the action unfold live. It was believed that, in the flesh, young people needed to see their sporting heroes strut their stuff on the sporting stage.

Although Roscommon CBS possess a proud sporting tradition, there is no substitute for a young man or woman watching their own team in the flesh.

Michael Gillooly was able to witness Roscommon CBS claim the Paddy Drummond Cup back in 2019 when he was still deciding where to attend secondary school. After experiencing the joy of witnessing that win in Croke Park, the choice was simple.

“We were in sixth class at the time. I went up to it and a load of the lads including Cian (Duggan) and Eoghan (Carthy) went up too. Eoghan had a cousin on that team (Charlie Carthy) and Cian had clubmates. It was talked about a lot.

“I would say just for us being in sixth class and deciding what school to go to, that 2019 team influenced us to come to the CBS. Some of the players like Keith Doyle, James Fitzpatrick, Tim Lambe and a lot of them pushed on into the senior team. It is inspiring for us to see that,” the defender noted.

Six years on, Gillooly and this current Roscommon CBS team now get a crack at that same piece of silverware. A key reason for Sunday’s shot at national glory is the strength of the Roscommon CBS defence.

Throughout their campaign, Roscommon CBS have conceded an average of just over eight points per game. Despite shipping 2-10 and 3-7 in the group stages to Presentation College Headford and St. Nathy’s respectively, the defence has been mightily impressive.

They conceded just 1-3 in defeating St. Attracta’s in the provincial quarter-final while a Calasanctius College, Oranmore, side that had registered 20 goals in their past three games before facing Roscommon CBS were held to just 1-11.

The defence has also provided the bedrock for their most recent successes. Scoil Mhuire Strokestown were held to 1-6 and St. Peter’s College were restricted to 1-11.

Gillooly is quick to deflect praise elsewhere with the full-back acknowledging the input of the corner-backs beside him and those willing to do the unremarkable side of the game in making lung-bursting runs back to help the defence.

“We have got great lads there. Ivan (Bikoi) came in there, as did Colm Fitzgerald. They are really hardy, they will dive and throw themselves into everything. They are not afraid to get stuck in even if they are years below some of the lads they would be marking.

“Colm Fitzgerald came on against Oranmore in his first game and he was marking one of their county minor players. To be fair to Colm, he did a good job and kept him scoreless.

“I think everybody fights for each other. If one man makes a mistake the next player does everything to make up for that mistake. That is what gels the defence together,” the Leaving Certificate student noted.

The vice-captain is hoping that the school’s followers will be out in force this Sunday. Despite the All-Ireland semi-final being moved from Kinnegad to Abbotstown at the 11th hour, the Roscommon CBS faithful appeared to outnumber their Dunboyne foes.

The full-back feels that support is important for the players, especially in these crunch showdowns.

“Just take the Dunboyne game, that was a two-hour journey at least up to Dublin. It was only half an hour for them. I thought the CBS crowd was louder at the game. When we were getting on top, our support was louder, and even when Dunboyne came back at us it was not near the same level of support we had throughout the whole campaign.

“We have had parents and everyone. My Dad hasn’t missed a game all year and that is the same with loads of others. It is just brilliant,” he concluded.