THE PRINCIPALS of Doon CBS Primary School and Doon Convent National School - Joanne O’Connell and Derek Walsh - will have a hard job getting their pupils to focus on their sums and spellings this week as the only subject they are interested in is the county final on Sunday.
Children and teenagers don’t know how lucky they are to see Limerick win five All-Irelands since 2018 after their parents and grandparents waited 45 years to see just one. However, boys and girls in Doon could go one better as they might see their team lift the John Daly Cup for the first time ever.
Two Doon CBS Primary School boys who have winning in the blood are Joe Quealy, aged 9, and Fionn O’Brien, 10. Joe is related to Jim Allis, a member of the Limerick 1973 winning All-Ireland team while Fionn’s extended family include 1973 captain Eamon Grimes and Doon and Limerick All-Ireland winning player Adam English.
Among Fionn’s favourite Doon players is Kevin Maher. “He’s brilliant to catch a high ball,” said Fionn. Joe’s favourite man in red and white is Richie English. “He can do anything - he can catch high balls, score goals and points,” said Joe.
Fionn and Joe both predict a Doon win after a tight match.
“We’ll have no homework for a month and we’ll be celebrating for five weeks!” smiled Fionn,
It is a remarkable achievement for the club to be playing senior not to mind being in the top two, due to the population. However, this year they have all their county men - Richie English, Barry Murphy, Darragh O’Donovan, Adam English and three-time All-Ireland winner Pat Ryan “Simon” injury free.
One man who knows the majority of the players is former Doon CBS principal Br James L Dormer as he taught and coached them. He also trained Doon’s manager Derek McGrath when he was a youngster.
“He is a superb manager. He has brought a new confidence,” said Br Dormer. He agrees the whole county, apart from Na Piarsaigh, will be cheering on Doon “but sentiment is no good”. “The only place where the word success comes before work is in the dictionary - in other words you have to earn it,” he said.
Doon CBS’ other links to the club are teacher Denis Moloney, selector and school secretary Audrey Crowe, treasurer.
