O’Flynn says playing the trendsetters in the final is where you want to be

COURTWOOD are set to line out in their first-ever Laois SFC final on Sunday, with their captain Sean O’Flynn speaking ahead of the game at the press event organised by Laois GAA.

Reflecting on the excitement that has gripped the club since their semi-final victory, O’Flynn described the sense of community pride.

“It's been incredible. Obviously, it's the first time we've ever got this far. It's a community-driven area, so it's just surreal. Everyone's still ecstatic back home,” he said.

O’Flynn also recalled the moment when the final whistle confirmed Courtwood’s place in history.

“We were hoping for it after the 10th minute when we got the goal, we were ahead, we wanted it over, blow the whistle, get us into the final. Look, to be fair to Joseph’s, they battled away and they had their chances, so it just made it all the sweeter when the whistle did go, and you saw the crowd running in like they did,” he remembered.

Their route to the final has been far from easy, with Courtwood claiming notable wins over O’Dempsey’s, Portlaoise and St Joseph’s along the way.

“The biggest hurdle is yet to come. Portarlington have been the trendsetters for the last half a decade, but it's where you want to be. You want to beat the best to ultimately get the final prize. We do feel primed. We've come through a difficult enough draw; we had a close loss to Ballyroan, which we learned a lot from as well, so yeah, we're just raring to go now,” he added.

The captain believes much of their improvement has been down to new manager Mark Bates, whose steady guidance has helped Courtwood peak at the right time of year.

“I think it's been a slow burner. Since day one, Mark has been very clear on what he expected from the group. He set out his aspirations which really aligned with ours, and ultimately that's to be here today and in a county final in 10 days' time. We aimed to peak at the right time of year.

“In the league, we wanted to be in the top half. Ultimately, we ended up in a relegation final, got out of that, into the championship and then build, build, build.

“Last year, we started really strong, and we probably plateaued too early in the year. We learned our lesson in that respect. Mark's been in the Laois championship before; he knows the scene, he knows the teams, he knows how to prepare a team for a championship, and we're really thankful that it's transpired as it has so far,” he said.

Having a settled squad with limited county commitments has also worked in their favour.

“It's been fantastic, but we've probably been down a few as well. We didn't see much of Rob Tyrrell during the league, and he's been a huge player for us throughout the championship. It's definitely allowed us to try lads in different positions. Dan Boland is a prime example. Midfield last year to, in my opinion, being the full-back of the championship so far. So we've had to probably experiment, which has been great,” he noted.

Courtwood’s underdog status was blown wide open after their emphatic quarter-final win over Portlaoise, a result that made the rest of the county sit up and take notice.

“I think that's the beauty of it, within the group that's always been our opinion, we really knew if we get things going, we have a really strong panel, and ultimately the opinion outside of the group wasn't of much concern to us, but it's nice to kind of see that recognition now. Even the Crettyard match, we've been underdogs in every game we've played, and we really relish that mantle, and obviously again we'll be going into the county final as underdogs, which is a position we love,” he said.

He also feels Courtwood’s dynamic style of play has suited the new rules recently introduced to Gaelic football.

“In a sense, it's not even adapting, because it's the style of football we've always wanted to play. I have to mention Matthew Byron when it comes to two-pointers; he's ridiculous. Anything within 65-70 yards with a strong wind, he's a joke.

“Even our running style of football, we want the ball through the hand, we find ourselves quite committed under the breaking ball. The way that the kick-outs have gone as well. We like to attack it and really take games to the opposition. It breaks down the sideways and the kind of sedentary football that's permeated the Laois championship and even the inter-county championships over the last few years. We definitely feel it's been more exciting, and it's lent itself to our style of play,” he pointed out.

O’Flynn reflected on the underage pathway that saw Courtwood link up with Emo, a partnership that produced multiple ‘A’ championship titles. With Courtwood now preparing for a senior final and Emo competing in the Senior ‘B’ decider, he believes both clubs are reaping the benefits.

“For myself, you have to go back all the way to St Paul's days. We've won every ‘A’ championship growing up, and then suddenly you're told when you're 17 years of age, you're on the Courtwood Intermediate or Junior team. It's not something that ever sat with us as a group. The whole narrative of Courtwood's age profile has been touted throughout the championship, particularly as we've progressed, and you look at it, the bones of our team are between 26 and 24, everyone playing ‘A’ football.

“I know underage was with Emo, and Emo have their own Senior ‘B’ final at the weekend, so I think both clubs are reaping the rewards of the underage development. Then you have the few elder statesmen, the Niall Donohers, Robbie Flynns, the few boys on the bench who are still absolutely flying, but everyone else outside of that is mid to low 20s, even a few teenagers, who have really stepped up to senior football,” he said.

Those senior figures, O’Flynn added, are continuing to drive standards within the camp and have been crucial in preparing the group for their biggest ever game.

“Alan Kinsella briefly mentioned that after the match the last day. They are still the guys we idolise, we look up to. It's a privilege to be playing with Niall and Robbie, and it's humbling to see them perform to the level they are, because however well we think we play individually, these guys are still outplaying us.

“You have Mark O'Halloran, Colin Wilson, Barry Donnelly, David Duffy, and many more guys on the bench who have been playing for 20 years with Courtwood. They never miss a training session, always drive to standards.

“I think the penny's finally dropped for a lot of us; the maturity has finally come around. To win a championship and to get to a final, it takes a lot, and your preparation outside the field as well. So I think definitely the guys are slowly starting to rub off on us,” he reflected.

And while Courtwood have been defensively solid, their attacking output has also caught the eye, with 10 goals in five games, including four in one memorable outing against Portlaoise.

“Ultimately, we've probably missed more goals than we've scored this year, which is another thing we need to get right. But I think it goes back to the style of football we want to play. We're quite a direct team; we know our strengths and our weaknesses, and we'd be quite a fit mobile team.

“Thankfully, we've probably opened teams up, and as a result, teams probably don't want us to get close to their goal, and it results in frees out the field, which Matthew is very comfortable with. So, there’s a nice blend there,” he concluded.