‘We are willing to give everything’ — Carthy

Eoghan Carthy knows better than most about playing in big games.

The Roscommon CBS captain helped his county to a Connacht U-20 title last year before lining out in an All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone.

He has competed in two Connacht Colleges’ Senior B finals over the past three years. He also has a provincial final appearance with Roscommon CBS in the Junior A grade in 2022.

Before this year, Carthy had experienced the pain of losing both Connacht Junior A and Senior B finals in successive years. Now, the Leaving Certificate student is determined to ensure that the final chapter in his Roscommon CBS playing career ends on a positive note.

“We’ve had a few big defeats, losing the Connacht final two years ago (to St. Attracta’s) was definitely one of them. This year, we said we would give it a good go. For a few of us here, it is our last year.

“For some of us, it (the final) will be our last game playing for the CBS. We are willing to give everything to bring the team over the line. It’s self-driven. Since September and October, we have really went for it,” he noted.

Roscommon CBS’ last appearance in the Paddy Drummond Cup final came back in 2019. On that occasion, James Fitzpatrick’s last-gasp winner ensured the cup travelled back to the school for the second time.

That encounter in Croke Park holds fond memories for Carthy. He travelled up to watch his cousin Charlie Carthy, who had kicked two points in CBS’ semi-final victory, come off the bench during that dramatic encounter at GAA headquarters.

“To be honest it was great to see the support they had up there and what it meant for the CBS as a school and for the community. It was probably the deciding factor in coming to the CBS and seeing the football they played. That is the reason we are here this year to try and replicate what they did in 2019,” claimed Carthy.

The final being held in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford, should ensure a healthy Roscommon crowd travel down to support a team that had eight clubs represented in their All-Ireland semi-final matchday panel.

After travelling to Abbotstown for the All-Ireland semi-final, Carthy is content to be playing much closer to home.

“It is a boost. There will be a big CBS crowd and I’m sure Carrickmacross will bring supporters down as well. It is only a half an hour away (for Roscommon CBS). We are well-used to these types of atmospheres, so we should be able to deal with that part of it,” he explained.

Roscommon CBS possess a proud footballing tradition. That 2011 and 2019 triumphs will never be forgotten by all those associated with the Roscommon Town school. A Hogan Cup final appearance in Croke Park ten years ago is another indication of the proud footballing tradition that exists.

That tradition stretches back before Carthy was born with a Gerry Lohan-inspired Roscommon CBS reaching the All-Ireland B final in 1997 before the school claimed the Connacht A title the following season.

Carthy has enjoyed his own sporting journey, feeling his game has developed greatly due to his exposure to schools’ football.

“In First Year, you are only getting to know the lads. As you go through the age groups, the level of competitiveness and intensity increase hugely. Even getting to the Junior A final (in 2022) was huge for me as a player.

“Playing with different lads is huge because you get to know their playing style. Overall, I think the CBS is a great footballing school and you can see that by the players they produce,” the Connacht U-20 winner explained.

Sunday’s encounter is likely to be an attritional affair, a far cry from the 2-14 to 1-11 semi-final triumph over St. Peter’s College. Carthy believes that minimising the unforced error count and keeping themselves in the mix until their replacements are introduced can help Roscommon CBS lift the Paddy Drummond Cup for the third time.

“I think we have to limit our mistakes. We have to play to our strengths and if we move the ball quickly, we can win this game. We have the subs to come on. We saw that the last day and in the Connacht final.

“They have been the difference. It is more than a 15-man game. It is a 20-man game, simple as that. If we can limit the mistakes and dominate the game, we can win it,” the captain concluded.