Roche Emmets join Senior ranks for the first time since 2006

It was a game of very, very fine margins indeed, and an elated Roche Emmets manager Jamie O’Hare knew that better than anybody, a man who knows what it takes to be successful as a player, and now as a manager.

In a successful playing career, Jamie O’Hare boasts five Louth Senior championship medals as a player with St Patrick's, missing out on two further successes due to health issues.

“It’s very hard to describe, it’s overwhelming”, O’Hare told the Dundalk Democrat following Emmets’ victory over the O’Raghallaighs.

“As a player, I was involved in a successful Pats team. I had to stop playing due to heart issues, so I missed out on their last two wins. It’s great to be part of something like this again”.

While visibly thrilled with this victory, there was a clear sense of relief too, with O’Hare knowing how thin the lines are between success and failure when it comes to finals.

“We are very lucky to come out of the right side of it really”, he admitted.

“There was nothing between the sides on the day, we both missed chances, very blessed to come out the right side of it”.

He added, “I don’t think we played well overall, never got going up front the way we had been. We’re lucky to get over the line but that’s what counts”.

Roche’s slender victory largely came down to one man as far as the scoring stakes were concerned, and that was player of the match Barry O’Hare.

Finishing with 0-10 from 14 shots at the posts, O’Hare’s consistency in front of the posts from frees and open play has won so many key games for his side over the years, and this Intermediate decider was no exception.

“Barry is a natural talent”, exclaimed O’Hare.

“He’s a big game player, who always plays well on the big occasion. He never lets us down”.

The production line is also progressing very well in Roche, with a number of players from their 2022 Under 21 Championship winning squad playing key roles in Sunday’s victory, including Gerry Browne, Aidan Grant, James McDonnell, Peter Lynch, Glen Stewart, Mark Byrne, DD Reilly, along with second half substitute Ryan Rice Martin.

“With that influx of young players in the squad now, hopefully there will be plenty of bright days of senior football for Roche Emmets for years to come”, said O’Hare.

While that group of young players such as James McDonnell, Gerry Browne, Mark Byrne, Glen Stewart, DD Reilly, Aidan Grant, Peter Lynch, and Adam McKay all played key roles in Roche’s success, the old guard is still alive and well with the Rathduff side.

Epitomised by O’Hare’s exploits, David Quigley, Barry’s brother Jamie, the O’Connells brothers Dan and Harry, have also been key to proving the right balance of youth an experience.

“They have been phenomenal”, manager Jamie O’Hare said at full time.

“Other players like Liam Carthy and Marty Carroll also came out of retirement this year, and were a big plus to us in training”.

The Lordship man added, “With that influx of young players in the squad now, hopefully there will be plenty of bright days of senior football for Roche Emmets for years to come”.

The victory itself was something which O’Hare admitted had not quite sunk in for him.

“It’s very hard to describe, it’s overwhelming”, the manager smiled. “As a player, I was involved in a successful Pats team. It’s great to be part of something like this again”.