Kevin Galvin’s Harding Cup Diary

Today saw a different challenge for us; a Munster Junior League cup game against Rockmount, a side two divisions above us. Having been rooted to the bottom of our league since the start of the season, we knew we went into the game as the underdogs; but we were slowly improving as a side, and having nothing to lose we knew it was an exercise in building for the following weekend.They had the early pressure, leading to a few saves from my end and good work by the four lads in front of me. Then a slip from an indirect free-kick saw the ball deflect and somehow hop to the feet to our other goalkeeper (now come-striker) perfectly placed in front of the goal to poke home.We managed to keep our own net guarded until about twenty minutes to go, when a deflected shot brought it level again. With the first goal the Premier side smelled blood and eventually showed their class, scoring two more just before the end and seeing us leaving another result behind us, something we’ve done far too often this season.Still, over 100 minutes without conceding a goal is a good sign that our defence is doing a pretty good job, goals are what this team needs, that’ll be crucial to our success in Coleraine. Monday will see me do more walking, and some work in the gym. Training Tuesday, team meeting Wednesday before we board the bus at ten in the morning for a nine hour journey to the very tip of the island, and where I’ll be writing from next.Thursday the seventhThere’s definitely a different atmosphere in the North, over seven hours on the road and surrounded by Union Jack flags, I find it difficult to imagine I’m sitting in the same seat that I was this morning on Western Road.We’re staying in quite possibly one of the furthest towns away from our own homeland; Portrush stands unprotected on the North Sea coast, on the same latitudinal degree as Malin Head, and is famous for the British Open hosting venue of Royal Portrush.I got on the bus having been given the news that the other goalkeeper in the squad would not be travelling, therefore leaving me the only net minder in the panel of seventeen. In a way it’s a bit of a burden, I almost feel guilty for being the sole position without any competition; but on the other hand I can finally focus on the upcoming games and prepare for the pressure they bring.Had you asked me a few weeks ago if we were going to make any impact on the tournament I’d have laughed at the prospect, but even as recently as last Tuesday we recorded a 3-1 win over a mixed J1 and Senior team at training, having done the most basic of warm ups. We received a huge boost last night in the knowledge that UCC's Hugh O'Donovan was available as a fresher to bolster the midfield, but his expected midfield senior partner Dave would be missing; no student card = no game.These are the sort of win-some-lose-some situations that amateur teams are presented with. Though the setup around us so far for the tournament has been nothing but professional, it’s about time we reflect that on the pitch. Trinity awaits tomorrow.Friday the eighth Football’s a cruel game. A kick of a ball, a loss of footing, or, in our case, the raising of a flag can cost you months of preparation. As Hugh put the ball in the net we felt like all of our hard work and tough luck had been justified. Having missed a penalty and had two cleared off the line earlier in the game, with less than ten minutes to go we were sure this was finally the moment when we announced ourselves. But, the linesman, so shy with his flag earlier in the proceedings that the referee was calling the line, now had the piece of luminous, checked cloth raised high above his head.After all of that, it was clear to see what way the game was going. We kept battling, even though Trinity had a good chance before the end from a free-kick which I thankfully got a hand to. That aside, we were still enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory, but having still known we could have very well blown our chance of winning the game. In the end we did, they got to the by-line and crossed in for their centre-forward to finish easily. It was a crushing and undeserved ending to a game which most predicted to go to penalties following the final whistle.Earlier in the day a few of us walked to Portrush, and despite the very well protected police station, was quiet for the most part. It’s quite a quaint little town, with a lovely amphitheatre on the seaside and a boardwalk. Though the people you talk to show no signs of bias, using pounds and seeing Royal Mail vans delivering post leaves us under no doubt though that we’re in a foreign place on familiar soil.Tomorrow we play NUI Maynooth in the semi-final of the ‘Plate’ competition. Having led their game for nearly the entire ninety minutes, they conceded two late goals, first in regular, then in extra-time to the hosts Coleraine. Whether this will break their confidence or build their hunger remains to be seen, but regardless I have no plans to return tomorrow night!Saturday the ninthGoalkeeping can be a tough position; you can turn from being the hero to villain in a split second. Having conceded in the last minute of time and lose our one goal lead, the latter was most definitely more suitable. One choice, to come or go; to back yourself and attack the ball, or stay on your line, hoping the shot will be saveable. Yesterday I took the risk of staying put, and it was a risk that ultimately cost us a win and another day up North.Once again a second half extra-time goal undid us. Having played over 240 minutes of football, and despite having had a hatful of chances, it was the most unjust way in which to leave the competition. We had played out of our skins individually and collectively and proved ourselves to be just as good as the vast majority of the teams in the competition, even though things didn't quite break for us.The bus back was the perfect way to cap off the trip. I never remember laughing as much as I did on the final stretch. That journey home reminded me once again why we play football, as much for the glory of winning as for the people you meet, the places you experience and the memories you create. The hours flew by as first we reached the border, then Dublin, the county bounds, and finally back on the exact same spot on the Western Road, giving us a nice sense of symmetry where we started almost exactly 48 hours and 1062 km earlier.