Troy wait rewarded with precious result

Profile by Fergal Lynch Updated: Wednesday, 12th October, 2011 4:53pm

Boardsmill 1-16, Rathmolyon 1-13

Jimmy Pratt bursts forward for Boardsmill during Sunday's IHC decider against Rathmolyon at Pairc Tailteann.

After suffering the heartbreak of relegation from the senior ranks and then losing out in the IHC final in 2010 in such devastating circumstances it would have been easy for David Troy to give up on Boardsmill.

However, quitting is not in the Drumree man's nature and when he knew Boardsmill wanted him back at the helm he took the opportunity and enjoyed his finest hour as a young manager by guiding his adopted club to the IHC title.

That controversial loss to Troy's home club Drumree in last year's final has been a major driving force for Boardsmill all year and Troy recognises that. However, he also acknowledges the outstanding attitude of his players and the major part they played in ensuring Boardsmill bounced back.

"We had a disappointing end to last year and that has been on our mind for over 12 months now. Fair play to the lads because the club have put the structures in place for success, but the players have been unbelievable, they gave us a great response to what we looked for off them," Troy told the Meath Chronicle.

"Since last February the players have put their heads down, got stuck into the hard work and endured a very, very tough year. We used almost 30 players this year and every bit of credit has to go to those lads for the way they picked themselves up.

"They are better and stronger this year because of what happened last year and they can only go from strength to strength. These lads deserve everything they get because they are a super bunch.

"The older players have had a major impact. A lot of them are around a long time and while we brought in new players it was the older lads that helped them settle and that's what makes this a great team," said Troy.

After using the wind to their advantage and getting away with a slice of good fortune with their goal Troy was proud of the way the players responded when Rathmolyon rallied to close the gap with a goal immediately after the break.

"Rathmolyon came back at us well in the second-half and they have some of the toughest hurlers that we have ever seen, but we just kept our scores ticking over and that was crucial," said the Boardsmill boss.

"Thomas Reilly was brilliant today, but he wasn't the only one. We had Bert McLoughlin outstanding at midfield and David Farrell excellent at centre-back, those lads helped slow the game down a bit in the second-half and that took the sting out of Rathmolyon.

"We remember the pain of last year's final and that drove us on. We were so focused all year and especially in the dressing room before today's game. I could see the hunger in the players.

"Even though we had a good lead at half-time, the players remained focused, they knew what they had to do and the experience of a tough year really stood to them."

Knowing the pain caused by defeat Troy was also quick to appreciate the effort put in by Rathmolyon and offered words of consolation.

"It really is hard luck on Rathmolyon, because they are a good side. This intermediate championship is tough to win. Over the last couple of years the team that has been relegated from senior doesn't necessarily come straight back up.

"It takes a lot of rebuilding after getting relegated, but we did it and Rathmolyon will do it because with the mentors and players they have they are too good not to be a senior side," concluded Troy.