Michael Bollard Former Dublin Hurler Hope To See Sam Back In The Capital Of the current Dublin panel only John O'Leary and Charlie Redmond were around when the Metropolitans last stole the Sam Maguire Cup in 1983. It's incredible to think really that such seasoned campaigners and household names as Keith Barr, Mick Deegen, Paul Curran, Paul Clarke and Mick Galvin still don't have an All-Ireland medal between them. All that could change forever on Sunday however when the Sky Blues take on Tyrone in the 1995 decider. One man who sincerely hopes this will be the case is former Dublin hurler Michael Bollard, Managing Director of Bollard Financial and investment Brokers Ltd in Dundrum; "This is a very experienced Dublin team and one which has shown great commitment over the years. It would be great to see those guys get the monkey off their backs", he points out. A native of Dundrum, Michael Bollard is something of a Dublin rarity as he was always more of a hurler than a football man. He played Senior hurling for his county for a number of years and this was always his number one game. Bollard represented Dublin Minors in both codes. In 1975 he was on the Dublin Minor hurling team which was beaten in the Leinster final; the following year he won a Leinster Minor medal in football." I also played Under 21 football for Dublin in '78 and Under 21 hurling in '78 and '79, but we had no joy and didn't even make it to a provincial final", he reflects. Michael Bollard went on to make his Senior intercounty hurling debut for Dublin in a National League division 2 game against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds in 1978. The former Dublin keeper remembers that game well. Particularly the persistence of Limerick full forward Joe McKenna. Eleven years on and Bollard would still be blocking shots on the intercounty scene! More often than not either a wing forward or corner forward in football and a net minder in the small ball game, Michael Bollard played for Dublin's hurlers in 1978, was then dropped in '79 and made his championship debut against Offaly in 1980. He remained on the team for the next four years, was dropped again, and then returned to prominence in 1988. He was substitute goalkeeper for the 1990 Leinster final against Offaly, and chose to retire from the intercounty stage after that. "That was our only Leinster final while I was on the panel", Michael recalls a little ruefully. "We were also beaten by Offaly in semi-finals in 1980, '83 and '84. We should really have beaten them in '84. The final score that day was something like 2-11 to 1-11. We had them there for the beating but it was one of those days when the omens were against us. In 1989 we beat Limerick in Portlaoise to qualify for the semi-final of the league, where we were beaten by Galway". Who then does Michael rate as the best forward he ever came face to face with? There are a few who spring to mind; "It would really have to be an Offaly man because they were the team which beat us most often during that era. Johnny Flaherty, Mark Corrigan and Padraig Horan all cause me many uncomfortable moments!" Michael Bollard of course also lined out behind some great hurlers wearing the Dublin colours. He is proud to have shared a field with men like Vinny Holden, John Thompson, Tom Quinn and even current county team captain John Twomey. Why dose he think it is that with such a large population to draw from, Dublin's hurlers have failed to make an impact in recent years? "A lot of it has to do with the large number of counter attractions available to the young people today. Rugby, soccer and Gaelic football are the three main team games in Dublin these days and hurling is a long way behind at the moment. In counties like Kilkenny and Tipperary it's more attractive to play hurling, but it's difficult to put your finger on why this is not the case in Dublin". The MD of Bollard Financial and Investment Brokers Ltd., Dundrum, Michael played his club football along side Anton O'Toole in the colours of Synge Street. Lining out at corner forward, he finished up on the losing end of the scoreline in the Dublin Senior final of 1977 as well as the '83 semi-finals - both times against high-flying St. Vincent's. "We didn't really have much of a chance to be honest. Anton was our only county man while in '77 for example that Vincent's team had as many as eight players who had All-Ireland medals!" St. Kevin's was always Michael's hurling club. "In Synge Street to be a member of the club you have to have been a past student of the school but St. Kevin's don't have that rule so the two clubs could never really amalgamate even though they were always a lot of players who played with both. This has cost both clubs dearly and Synge Street are now Intermediate while the Kevin's have held onto their Senior status", Michael Bollard notes. With St. Kevin's Michael garnered Junior and Intermediate Championship medals as well as three 2nd Division Senior leagues, but never managed the Senior Championship unfortunately. "We were beaten in a couple of semi-finals but never even made it to a county final. Those were great years though and I enjoyed every minute of them. It was great fun and it was only really on match day that you thought of things like winning and losing". Bollard isn't so sure that he envies the county stars of 1995 vintage, however. "The game has gone totally over the top in terms of the commitment required. This is grand if you're a single fella without much else on your plate, but otherwise it's very demanding. Even when I was on the county team it was tough. We trained on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and then had a match almost every Sunday. That's a lot of commitment when your winning nothing", he observes. Set up by Michael himself in 1989, Bollard Financial and Investment Brokers Ltd, in Dundrum provides a full range of financial services. The company is a vibrant one and will remain so for many years to come. How does its MD think Dublin will do on Sunday? "The team has matured a lot and this is the first time in many years they seem to have really got their act together. When Meath got the goal in the Leinster final Dublin kept their composure where before they would have lost their shape. Keith Barr is playing exceptionally well in the traditional centre back role, Charlie's free taking is magnificent, and Jason Sherlock gives them an added dimension. He's getting goals when they really need them". Admitting that Charlie Redmond was fortunate to stay on the field after foolishly lashing out at a Cork player in the semi-final, Michael doesn't underestimate the opposition for one minute. "Tyrone will be very fit and eager. After what has come out of Ulster in recent years they have to be given great respect. They looked poor against Galway but are a very good side. But I still think Dublin will win. They have lost a few finals in recent years and their experience should stand by them. And what does the future hold for Dublin hurling? "Well they're team building at the moment which takes time, and they are also low on confidence. What Offaly have achieved though is a great example to counties like Dublin. Up until '78 we would have fancied ourselves against Offaly, but what they have done with a small playing base is very commendable. If Dublin could somehow get some success then it would make hurling more attractive to young Dubliners. It's the classic Catch 22 really. Our footballers need a win on Sunday for the very same reason". That's Michael Bollard from Dundrum, an ardent Dublin Gael if ever there was one! Taken from Hogan Stand Magazine 15th September, 1995 Tweet

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