ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Denn v Gneeveguilla

Saturday, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 1.30pm

By Niall Gartland

“IT’S only a game of football really when all is said and done but off the field it’s so much more than that” says Denn captain Bernard Gaffney ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland Junior semi-final against Kerry’s Gneeveguilla.

“Obviously, it’s the first time our club is heading into an All-Ireland semi-final. There’s a good buzz about the parish and a good buzz within the team so preparations are good and enjoyable.”

The Cavan champions delivered provincial gold in mid-December before going on to beat British champions St Brendan’s in the quarter final.

“It’s been great. We’ve made friends that would go with you every inch of the way on a football field but equal to that and maybe more than that, they’d go every inch of the way in life as well. These boys show for you on the field and off the field, it’s incredible. That’s something that in modern society and modern times, you can’t go many places to get that same sense of comradery now a days.

“Most people are communicating through a phone or through Facebook or social media. But when you’re out on a football field, and you don’t have your phone in your hand and you’re looking round to the man next to you for a little bit of support and help, that’s a huge bond.

“It’s creating a good vibe around the parish, a good sense of humour I suppose considering the last while has been so tough and that’s one thing that has shone through, the sense of camaraderie in our community.”

The towering midfielder insists Denn will head into Saturday’s showdown without pressure or fear. They’re enjoying the journey.

“When we won Cavan, that was our main goal and after that anything was a bonus in Ulster. We looked at it as just an opportunity that’s going our way and we’ve learned over time, let it be in life or on a football field, that when an opportunity like so is coming your way it’s up to you to take full responsibility for that and grasp that as best you can.

“That’s just what we’re doing. We don’t play with any pressure or fear, we’re going out to play football and hopefully play to the best of our ability and see where that takes us.”

In terms of opposition, Gneeveguilla couldn’t be any further away from the Breffni County. While Denn know little about their Kingdom opponents, Gaffney expects to face a decent side.

“Me personally, I know absolutely nothing about them,” he said.

“Since we finished playing in Cavan and moved on into Ulster, it’s kind of nice to go out and not know what you’re facing. It’s just nice to go out and focus on your own game and not be focusing on other teams and so far, it has worked in our favour.

“We don’t know anything about them but they’re from Kerry so we’re expecting a very decent team. We heard they won the Munster final in fine form and fashion so we’re expecting a very decent team to be lining out against us.”