'A great journey' - Mayo man O'Gara guides Galway school to another Connacht football final

It’s that time of the year again when the GAA inter-county season returns and club action kicks back into gear.

For some though, the most important venture at the moment is their pursuit of a school championship. Many second-level students are entering the business end of their ‘Post Primary Schools’ competitions and this is no different for pupils of Dunmore Community School, who are managed by Mayo man Carlos O’Gara.

O’Gara, a native of Ballindine, has been at the helm of Dunmore’s senior boy's school football team for 13 years. In that time, the former Davitts player has guided the Galway school to several Connacht Post Primary Schools football finals - winning the ‘Connacht Senior D Football Championship’ in 2020 before being crowned ‘Connacht Senior C’ champions last year.

The school, with approximately 330 students, will now compete for a ‘Connacht Senior B’ title when they face Carrick-on-Shannon Community School - a challenge which O’Gara is looking forward to.

“In the last few years, I knew there was a lot of quality young players coming up in the school,” remarked O’Gara, who is a Wood Technology, Construction Studies & Graphics teacher by profession.

“2022/23 was a phenomenal year; we won the ‘County A Championship’ early on before we claimed the ‘Connacht C Championship’. We lost the All-Ireland semi-final and probably should have won it, but it was still an exceptional year. We are where we are now, and we have enjoyed this year so far. On sole numbers alone, we really are punching above our weight, so I am proud of the players for buying into the setup.”

O’Gara, who hailed his squad a “special and very capable group”, mentioned that one of the most important factors for him through the years has been the enjoyment of building relationships outside of the classroom.

“You get to take the teacher hat off when training the students or bringing them to games,” Carlos explained.

“I am a big believer in giving it your all and having no regrets: win or lose. I enjoy seeing the players progress - I always think that if you play well outside on the pitch, you do well inside the classroom.”

Audio below: O’Gara speaks about the games leading up to this year’s 'B' final, including the school’s impressive semi-final win over Roscommon CBS 

The school will once again travel to support the team and O’Gara in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence this Saturday (1pm throw-in) as they target their third provincial title since 2020.

“Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought the school would reach this level, it has been a great journey,” O’Gara stated.

“Thomas Hughes has been a great help on the sideline in recent years too, we work well together, and he has been part of this journey.”

O’Gara, who was part of the Davitts’ squad that triumphed in the Connacht Club Intermediate Championship Final in 2011, now volunteers with the underage system in Ballindine, which has been a challenge that he has enjoyed.

“I have three small lads so the last few years I have been involved with the under-8s,” O’Gara said.

“I had been involved with under-21 and junior level but since my children have started playing, they have been my focus. It’s all about giving back - I had great years with my club so now it’s time for the new generation.”