Joe Joe Rouine The centre half back is the soul of the team. League exit is not a disaster for the Bannermen. Last year, the 'Clare Champion' began it's report on the National League quarter final against Mayo with the following paragraph: "Joe Joe Rouine, so often the unsung hero for clare, was worth his weight in gold at McHale Park, Castlebar last Sunday for the National Football League quarter final tie with Mayo. For when the chips are down, the centre back shrugged off injuries and inspired all around him with his courageous and determined play and as a bonus, kicked two points from frees." I have no idea what the 'Clare Champion' will have to say about Joe Joe and his colleagues this weekend but they certainly won't be accused of lacking commitment in the game against Donegal. The All-Ireland champions looked the part on Sunday and Clare simply hadn't the answers. In comparison to Brian McEniff's men, the Munster champions looked slow and cumbersome, while mentally, they were also trailing their opponents. When the final whistle sounded at Croke Park, the Clare players turned and shook hands with their conquerors. One sensed that before they reached the dressingroom, they were already thinking about May 30th and Cusack Park in Ennis. And Cork. Only five weeks away now! The time has really flown since that memorable day last July when one of football's great breakthroughs was made. In the build up to the games against Mayo and Donegal, John Maughan and his team have been eager to point out that May 30th is the focus of attention. Everything revolves around that date. The stamina training in the sand dunes would affect their league performances and progress, beyond securing Division 1 status, would be a bonus. As the Claremen stepped on to their coach outside Croke Park on Sunday evening, there was an air of resolve about them ... it wasn't the end of the world but they would have been happier had they given a better account of themselves. Too many mis-directed passes, too much indecision while in possession, too many times beaten at midfield and too many missed opportunities. Not a good day for the Claremen. But they have come an awful long way in an awful short time. Munster cannon-fodder to Munster champions! Division 1! The elite! Playing in front of 50,000 plus attendances! It's not enough! Joe Joe Rouine has briefly feasted at the top table. He enjoyed it and wants more. What Joe Joe wants, you can be sure his colleagues want as well. The big centre back, more than anybody, typified what this Clare team is about and what their targets are. "It's fair to say that our ambitions have moved upwards. We always wanted Munster championship medals. Last summer's success has whetted our appetites, and we are even hungrier for success. All-Ireland medals are what we want now. It would have been nice to win the league but the championship is what we're after. Once upon a time it was enough to put up a good performance. The days of satisfaction with "good performances" are gone." There was always great GAA interest in the Rouine household. The radio was always the focus of attention on Sunday afternoon's as news of the big games came through. John Joe, the father, played a bit in his day and married a daughter of Paddy Dan John Garrihy. The Rouines hail from the townland of Rineen just outside Ennistymon and the Rouine brothers, who attended national school in Lahinch, first tasted organised football with the parish team, St. Brigids of Ennistymon. Joe Joe's performances as a youngster did not go unnoticed. He was selected on the county minors for two years but met with little success. He lined out with Moy in the junior championship, but they were struggling to field teams and so he threw in his lot with St. Josephs of Milltownmalbay. With St. Josephs he won senior championships in 1985 and 1990 and also lost a final to Doonbeg. Three months ago he moved back to Ennistymon. In recent years, Ennistymon have won intermediate and under 21 B titles. It could be that they are an emerging force in Clare club football, but they've never won the senior championship. With five Rouines on the side, that could change in the not too distant future. Having come through the minor ranks, Joe Joe also lined out with the county under 21s and was on the team, narrowly beaten by Kerry in the Munster Final of 1988. He also played with the juniors. As a twenty one year old, he made his senior debut, on the same day as Francis McInerney in a national football league tie against Wicklow at Aughrim. It was 1987 and Clare won. But their profile was still of the low variety. "You didn't tell anybody that you played with Clare." It's difficult to imagine but the core of the present team is basically the same now as it was then. "Noel Roche, Martin Flynn, Aidan Moloney and Gerry Kileen may be there for a bit longer but the rest of us have been there for a few years. There has been a bit of chopping and changing but the team has settled a lot ever since we won the All-Ireland B title in 1991. We've seemed to develop from there." Joe Joe is an All-Ireland medal holder, having helped Athenry Agricultural College to win the Ags. title during his spell there. Nowadays, he's a private in the 22nd Battalion FCA based in Lahinch. So is Noel Roche. Being based so close to the current nerve centre of Clare football is a huge boost. In fact, the Clare footballers are a unique bunch in that they are all locally based. It's a big help. And Joe Joe Rouine is appreciative. It helps him to indulge in his favourite pastime, playing with his two sons Daniel, 3 and Michael, 1. His wife Noreen is a member of the well known McCormack family from Kilfenora, an area famous for it's music and they also have a great passion for football there. Noreen's brothers are well known boxers. Like many other defenders, Joe Joe's career began in attack but he has now settled into the No 6 position with considerable ease. He reads the game well and it doesn't bother him whoever lines out in the opposition's No 11 jersey. On Sunday, Martin McHugh, the current All Star in that position, failed to make an impact and, hampered by injury, he was forced to withdraw at the interval. Noel Hegarty fared little better, he too, failed to score. Kenneth Reilly got two points, from frees, for Mayo in the quarter final. "I work very hard on my mental approach to the game. A huge percentage of modern football is about the mental attitude. John Maughan is the most positive person I've ever met. He's so thorough and loves a challenge. Who else would have taken on the job? The outlook was very bleak and even though the open draw was a huge help, it would have meant nothing, only for John Maughan. I knew him previously through army football and always had the utmost respect for him." Others to influence Joe Joe were Joe McCaw with the St. Brigids underage teams, James Flanagan with Moy and Noel Walsh with St. Josephs. His nineteen year old brother, Brendan, was at centre field on Sunday. It was a chastening experience for the younger Rouine. Anthony Molloy and Brian Murphy were in devastating form and Brendan, and Tom Morrissey were forced to play second fiddle. It put extra pressure on the half back line. "Yes, it's nice to have a brother on the team, but everybody has their own job to do and I concentrate on mine. He's only nineteen so I suppose I have to mind him a bit," said Joe Joe with a smile. And what about Cork and the championship? "I've never played against them. We will be well prepared. We are now used to playing in the big match atmosphere and the experience we've gained from playing the top teams will be a help. One thing is certain: we'll have no inferiority complex. There's a terrific buzz around the county and our supporters are still holding their heads high. As far as the team itself is concerned, it might as well be a club team, such is the spirit and camaraderie. We want more of last August's Croke Park atmosphere. That was very special, easily the best memory of my career to date and I'm sure it was the same for all the lads. The welcome we received going out on to the field was incredible. Our supporters are a very special breed." The effects of winning last year's Munster championship linger on. The team is close knit. After the game Joe Joe might be seen in the company of his brother, or with his former clubmates Karl Walsh or Martin Flynn. You expect him to be thinking about his two children or about the cycling around the Ennistymon-Lahinch area. You also expect him to be thinking about Clare's next big game. Tipperary won the first Munster championship in 1888 when they received a walk over from Limerick. In the following year they beat Cork by 0-3 to 0-2. Ever since, only Kerry and Cork have managed to win successive titles. Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare have each failed to defend their crown successfully. This Clare team could be different. They'll need to be. Both Cork and Kerry will have to be beaten if they're to succeed. Clare have a great manager, and great supporters. Their centre half back is a gentle giant. He too, could become great. Shy but friendly and not so gentle when the need arises. Just like Clare. Yes, Joe Joe Rouine typifies the new-found spirit of the Banner. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 23rd April 1993 Tweet

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