Ronan Sheehan added another title to his roll of honour when he won an All Ireland U17 hurling medal after Cork beat Dublin at Croke Park last Sunday. It’s a memory which he and his family will look back on with great affection, as it was the first All Ireland Final in that age group, but then again Ronan is no stranger to big wins, having already won a Munster title at U15, an All Ireland at U16, a Munster at U17, and a Munster medal at U17. That’s two All Irelands and three Munsters by the age of 16, and as well as all of that he will travel to Dublin this weekend as part f the panel for the All Ireland minor semi-final in Croke Park, a game which, if successful, will see him taking the field at headquarters on All Ireland senior final day. That’s an impressive record for any player to have, but it’s especially remarkable when you consider that he won’t reach 17 years of age until later this year.
Speaking to the Mallow Star this week, Ronan said that last Sunday’s U17 final was an amazing experience. The team travelled to the capital on Saturday, and overnighted in a hotel before setting off at 10.30am on Sunday for the game which threw in at 12 noon. It was a tight game in the first half, with Cork trailing the Dubs by four points at one stage, but once they pulled themselves back to level pegging, they got on top and pulled away for a historic first win, with Ronan calmness personified in the left corner back position.
When the referee blew for full time, Ronan celebrated with his team mates after the cup presentation, but he couldn’t stay long as the family had to rush back to the Rebel County for a wedding in Midleton, though word of his win had preceded him and he got a huge reception when he entered the banqueting hall.
As a member of the minor panel for this week’s All Ireland semi-final, Ronan didn’t have much time to bask in the glory of Sunday’s win, as he was back training on Monday morning, and will have another session today before heading off to the capital again for the weekend.
Ronan is very grateful to the many people who have coached and encouraged him since he started training at the tender age of six, and he singles out Micheal Sexton and Pat Heffernan as well as others in Mallow GAA who have coached and encouraged him for the past ten years.
Of course, while hurling is a passion, Ronan still has a share of school work ahead of him, and by the end of the month he will be back behind his desk at Davis College, starting fifth year and beginning the Leaving Cert cycle. We wish him well in his studies, and are sure that he gives them the same attention that he gives his hurling!