In a political sense, Noel Roche could be said to be the statesman of Clare football. While many in the Banner County were losing sight of their objectives, drifting along on a wave of apathy and self-doubt, the Kilkee cracker has steered straight ahead over the past 14 years, skipping over the turbulent and sometimes inhospitable waters which have battered football fortunes in his native county. Roche is a Clareman first and foremost. He puts on the provincial and international tags afterwards but home is where the heart is. Bringing home the All-Ireland B Football Championship this Sunday is his immediate goal, stopping Longford and getting through for points represents the means of fulfilling that aim. If the Clare team management alter their game plan, one thing is certain, as a person employed in offence or defence, Noel Roche will be a key figure in Clare's plans. Purposeful, dedicated and honest footballer, the defence forces employee has never had it so good. He is one of the chosen few who, for the first time in 49 years, have the opportunity of contesting a national football title with a Clare team. Noel is lucky to be part of such a team and potentially part of a glorious period for Clare football. Other, more objective observers may say that it is merely a case of the talented Clareman getting his just rewards for many years loyal service to his native county. The thirty one year old defender cum attacker first enlisted as a Clare senior at the age of seventeen. Enthusiastic, committed but completely unaware of the nature of the task facing him on his first outing, the power-packed wing back found himself chin-high and thrown in at the deep end. Pitted against the then high-flying Galway in the Gael Linn Cup, Clare found themselves out of their depth in that 1977 encounter. For Roche personally it was a sink or swim ultimatum. He needn't have worried about getting another outing as he had given a self assured display. The pat on the back he received from his direct opponent that day, the great Johnny Hughes, put the seal of approval of Roche's debut. Like all quality players, Noel Roche had caught the eye as a fledgling underage player. A series of county medals won up through the ranks with Kilkee catapulted him to prominence within county Clare, so it was only a matter of time before the classy defender was capped at county level. It is no coincidence that Kilkee's best years have mirrored the career of Noel Roche. Two senior football championship wins in 84 and 89, plus three league titles were Kilkee-bound. A member of the Kilkee minor team that won a hat-trick of county titles in the early seventies, Roche and his compatriots fulfilled the expectations of the 1,100 strong population by easily consolidating their club's senior status won in 1971. "Father Culligan was a great influence at the club then, especially with the underage players and a lot of the credit is due to him for the solid foundation he established," Noel recalls. A whirlwind start to his senior football career heralded snatches at ultimate glory only to be denied. Making his senior club debut in 75, bitter disappointment was to follow four years later when a Niall Cahalane, Larry Tompkins, John Cleary backed Castlehaven squad thwarted Kilkee by a frustrating two points. Noel Roche is no glory-hunter though. Medals are nice but Clare, like many other counties in Ireland, have learned to trade in honour, pride and loyalty. A blue sky above the horizon down Kilkee way reflects the latest talent now residing at the local St Senan's gaelic football club, as Noel explains. "Our under 21s were successful in 1989 and a lot of that team will form the backbone of the senior tea, in the next few years." Noel's confidence in the club's youth is well founded. Punters even outside the Banner county are already familiar with the burgeoning talents of players like Ger Kelly and Ger Crotty of Kilkee. A new buzz in the Clare camp has evoked a similar level of optimism at county level for the ageless Roche. Messrs Weldrick and Taylor kept the county on an even keel but it is full steam ahead under new manager, former Mayo footballer John Maughan. And its a ship Noel Roche is glad to be sailing on. He says of the captain: "John's style of management is different, its a new approach and is getting the best out of the squad. It has given me personally a new lease of life and I am looking forward to the Longford game with quiet confidence." Apart from a broken leg in 1985 and a recent scare with tendonitis, Noel Roche's career has been injury-free. "I was off with the tendonitis recently but when I returned to the squad a couple of weeks ago, I could detect the great sense of urgency that is now in the camp. The turnout at training is fantastic and everyone is giving 110 per cent commitment. The whole county is treating the forthcoming final as our All-Ireland. No fault to any of the previous team managers but John has gained great respect from all the players and can motivate them to the greatest advantage," says Noel. Described by one erstwhile Longford player as "fast and very cute", Noel is philosophical about the lack of success in Clare down the years. "We have given Cork and Kerry some very scary moments in recent seasons without really threatening to topple them. Our best days have been confined to the McGrath Cup competition in Munster from which I have collected four winners medals. In addition we won the NFL Division 4 title in 1987 and that was savoured by all the county." Behind every dedicated sportsman is a social animalistic instinct and therein lies one reason why the compromise rules star has decided to forgo a chance to do a Shay Fahy or a Stefan White and switch county allegiance. "The McGrath Cup wins here were great for morale. Soem people in the county can be very parochial in their outlook, particularly on the club scene. Thankfully that's not the case at county level and a three day trip to London for instance, can do wonders for a team's morale and spirit," adds Noel. A type of spirit which reminds Noel of his trips with the Ireland team to the Antipodes and a 'Donnybrook' or two. In total the Kilkee star has played in no less than ten test matches in 84, 86, 87 and last year. But he remembers the two visits down under with particular satisfaction. "They were fantastic experiences and something I will never forget. Hopefully the series will continue as they are important for both the GAA and the Australian Rules people. I know the GAA probably suffer financially because of the games, but I'm sure they could afford to be at a loss for the sake of the Compromise Rules games," Noel argues. Will Aussie style be needed for the All-Ireland B Final? "I don't thing so. I saw Longford's first half performance against Monaghan in the semi final and thought they were tough, physical side but it was fair stuff," answered Noel. Likely to play a third midfielder role in the final, the elder statesman on the underdogs team is modest about his own capacity to inflict damage on Sunday but he has no doubt about who the key man for Longford is. "Undoubtedly Dessie Barry will need a lot of watching. He's a beautiful footballer. And I know him fairly well from our trip to Australia last year. I'm well aware that Longford are not just a one-man team either. And other players like Cathal Lee and Kevin O'Rourke will pose plenty of problems for us as well," acknowledges Noel. Without committing himself unduly to a possible winning verdict, the military man is confident Clare can do themselves justice. "John Maughan has told us that the Balinasloe pitch will suit our team perfectly," Noel adds jokingly. The punters are keen in Clare. A half century needs to be wiped from the annals and they will travel in droves for the final. Football-mad west Clare will join with the hurling east in a cavalcade of colour. If Noel Roche and co can do the business the horse fair will, for once, take a back seat. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 15th November 1991 Tweet

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