INTERVIEW: Nenagh CBS chase back-to-back Harty Cups as captain Doughan plays down pressure

Good things happen to those who wait, and in the case of Nenagh CBS, their long wait to finally claim the coveted Dr Harty Cup in 2024 could soon be followed by a second in as many years with this Saturday’s highly anticipated decider in Ennis.

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That batch of players that broke a losing streak of four final losses between 1990 and 2012 produced big days for the North Tipperary school, and while they will be held in high esteem with a Harty Cup medal in their back pocket, a few players could go join a very select group of players to boast two Harty Cup medals in their collection, including sharpshooter and Nenagh CBS captain Eoghan Doughan.

“It’s a privilege now to be in two Harty finals,” said the Moneygall clubman.

“Not many people have done that before, and we’re not really thinking about that now. We’re just thinking about getting a good performance in and getting over the line.”

It’s unbelievable. All the school are right behind you, there’s a great buzz around the school, all the students. It’s just a great thing to be a part of.

Indeed, not many Tipperary players have achieved that feat, let alone won two finals. You have to go back in the annals of the competition to the Thurles CBS teams of 1938-39 and 1950-51. 

Doughan and several of his teammates have the experience of the 2024 final in the tank, and Doughan is happy to have that muscle memory and routine in his mind heading into this decider.

“Yeah, look, you get plenty of experience, and the more you’re playing at it, the more experience you’re going to get. 

“But yeah, we have plenty of lads who have been there before. We have five or six lads who were on the panel two years ago as well. So it’s great to have that experience around, especially for the younger lads as well, to bring them on board with.”

The Moneygall man doesn’t do drama or bluster. He insisted that there is no pressure on his part going into this final, and given the way he walked into the Millennium Theatre in Moylish, and the way he carried himself, there is no party line being flouted; he doesn’t do pressure and that was evident in the semi-final when he struck the winning free.

“It’s just like any other match to me. I don’t really try and let the captaincy role get too much into my head. It’s just any other game. 

“We have loads of leaders in the group, I’m not the only one. There’s plenty of lads there that could be captain as well.”

A key member of Tipperary underage teams' recent successes, Doughan has benefited from exceptional access to strength and conditioning, and, given his performance for Moneygall in his first year at adult hurling, that work has paid dividends, as his stature suggests.

“Nowadays it’s all about gym work, and I try to do as much as I can. Stepping up into the senior level, it’s a different grade. 

“Everyone’s bigger than you, so you have to kind of go up to standard with them and try and be as big as them. That’s all I’m trying to do.”

There is also history with the Doughan clan in this competition, with his father John a former student of the school who was part of the team that lost out to the same opposition in the 1990 decider. John was a talismanic player for Moneygall during his hurling career.

“Yeah, look, he gives me lots of advice, and he doesn’t really put me under too much pressure. He just lets me go out and do my thing, and there’s no pressure at all.”

Doughan was keen to highlight the management team’s positive influence, particularly that of former teammate Darragh McCarthy, who captained the 2024 victory. He has gone onto star with the Tipperary seniors, and Doughan highlighted that he is a brilliant figure to have in the dressing room and on the sidelines.

“It’s great to have Darragh around the group. He brings so much experience. He’s been here before, he’s done this before, so he’s just giving us advice, and it’s great to have him around.

“Look, it’s unbelievable what Darragh has done over the last few years. The player he’s turned out to be, you just look up to him and try to replicate some of the stuff that he does.”

St Flannan’s provide familiar opposition, and even Clare teams in general, for this group of players, and Doughan knows the challenge that lies before Nenagh CBS on Saturday.

“Yeah, we’ve played them a couple of times now over the last few years and played them in the Dean Ryan final. Look, we know all their players, we know what’s expected. It’s going to be a titanic battle, and we can’t wait for it.

We’ve been there (in Ennis) before, but it’s just another game. We won’t be taking that into account. It’s just about getting a good performance and hopefully getting out with a win.”

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