Kelly: 'Bigger and better things ahead'
Fighting Cocks stalwart John McDonald with his son Jack after their win over Leighlinbridge in the Talbot Hotel JFC 'A' final. All Photos: Pat Ahern
After the cup had been presented and the photographs taken underneath the stand, the entire Cocks squad and their management team ran towards the tunnel but then veered away ending up almost behind the goal posts outside the perimeter fencing of the pitch. Waiting for them there was Tom Eustace. The Cocks man has been confined to a wheelchair since his accident in Rome over a year ago.
Sunday was a hugely joyous moment for all concerned and once again the players and management team regrouped for photographs.
“Tom was always a very committed player to the group. He was in the field every night. We would rather have him on the field but he has been at every training session and has been with us through the wind and the rain. It is a testament to the kind of character he is,” said the Cocks centre-back, William Kelly.
From Castledermot, Kelly has been living in Rathoe for seven years now. He travelled to the Kildare club for many years and is only with the Cocks for about a year now. He understands what motivates the club.
“Waiting so long and with a few new bodies including myself we have been trying hard to get out of Junior A. We have finally got out of it. There are bigger and better things ahead. We have the right age group profile and we are looking forward to it,” he said.
“There are a lot of young lads and youth. The club is going forward. All these lads are in their 20s. The future is bright,” the newcomer predicted.
Billy Molloy is one of the younger generation of footballers in the club.
At 25, he sees the parallels between himself and coach, Kieran Nolan, who recalled that he had played in an intermediate football final a quarter of a century ago.
Yet Molloy sees this as a collective effort.
“It is more than the 15 and 20 lads who played today. It is everyone in the club.
“Today was a battle. It was good. This is what the club is all about.” Molloy was also accomplishing a nice double.
“Football wise it is the biggest achievement. My first football title, I have ever won. A nice one to get. I won the junior hurling last year with Burren Rangers,” he explained.
