Emotional day looms for Australia bound Boylan

WHEN it comes to county finals, emotions will always run high. However, for Salthill/Knocknacarra midfielder John Boylan, they may just reach new heights when he pulls on the club jersey, possibly for the last time, and takes to the field against Corofin at Tuam Stadium this Sunday.

In all likelihood, barring the county final going to a replay, this will be 30-year-old Boylan’s last competitive outing for the defending county champions as he is due to fly out to begin a new life in Australia later this month.

It has been a big decision for him, to not only leave his family and friends, but to cut his ties with a club he holds dear. A club he has given blood, sweat and tears to and, quite often, in that order. And willingly so.

“Yeah, I am actually retiring in a few weeks – at the end of the month – and moving to Australia,” says the imposing midfielder who is an army officer based in Dublin. “So this could be my last game for Salthill. I am moving over there indefinitely; I could be back in a few years, but I don’t know.”

It’s unimaginable the transition that is about to take place in Boylan’s life but one thing he most likely will not miss are those long trips up and down from Dublin. “There has been a bit of travelling involved, up and down from Dublin alright,” he said.

“It has been a huge commitment, but football is like a drug. You want to stop doing it but find that you can’t. I suppose, now, I am heading to Australia in search of a new way of life. I have 12 years done in the army and I had a choice to stay or go. So, I chose to leave, to retire, and I am looking forward to it. I can’t wait.”

As one of the longest serving members of the squad, Boylan has enjoyed both the highs and lows. No doubt, the year surrounding their county final win in 2005 – only the City club’s second ever senior title – and their subsequent Connacht and All-Ireland club successes hold fond memories for him. As does last year’s county final victory.

However, he also bemoans Salthill/Knocknacarra’s lack of consistency in the years between their last two county title wins, 2005 and 2012, in which time Sunday’s opponents Corofin have won the Frank Fox Cup on four occasions to bring their count on the roll of honour to 14 – just one title behind third placed Dunmore MacHales.

“In terms of consistency, we have not done it at senior level. We won the county title in ‘05 and we didn’t win it again for another seven years. Obviously, making back-to-back finals, we are progressing,” said Boylan.

However, in equal measure, he also recognised the pedigree of Corofin. “You talk about Corofin being one of the aristocrats and as much as it pains me to say it, they are. They are consistent. This year just highlights it. When they lost the semi-final last year, people were talking about them coming back and, before a ball was thrown in, winning it this year. That says a lot about them.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.