Rian Boran, a proud Kildare captain from a proud hurling family

One can only imagine what the topic of conversation at the Boran breakfast table might be.
Hurling no doubt.

Dad Mairtín is totally immersed in the game and with four sons, all hurlers, three on the county team and the youngest Senan, waiting in the wings, no doubt these boys eat, sleep and drink the small ball game.

And even better Rian Boran, pictured, is the leader, the captain, as good a defender as you will get; brother Cian another classy defender; Conan is unfortunantely out injured while the youngest, Senan, is on both U15 hurling and football county development squads at the moment (no pressure).

“Very proud, a great day out for the family and when you are winning matches it makes it all the better” says captain Rian, adding “but I think it is the same across all families with lads involved, it's all about the family and friends you come across, a huge thing, not anything special to us but definitely it is across the entire team.”

Rian admits that the game against Westmeath, a game that could have gone either way, “probably created a bit of character in the squad and the same again the following game that drove us on; it has been very beneficial to finish out those games the we did and that can only stand to us.”

The Kerry defeat in Round 1 of the McDonagh Cup was certainly a warning call for the entire squad as Rian acknowledges.

“You can't take any opposition for granted, as we have learned. In the league final we didn't turn up as we liked and then the disappointing display against Kerry, I think after that set-back we were then looking for a display against Westmeath that was worthy of Kildare hurling and worthy of the effort that the lads have put in over the months; game after game we just try to focus on the next week; we never look beyond that.

Rian admits that lads coming back in from injury have been a real boost to the team in this campaign.

“In total we have used 23 players so it is a very competitive panel and the next two weeks will be very competitive in training as lads will be doing their utmost to initially get into the match-day squad and then the starting XV but we need everyone and everyone gives it everything which all stands to us; it does take a full squad to get over the line but we have some very young and skilful hurlers to get us over that line.”

Rian admits that the team gets huge satisfaction when they have big support, especially from the younger generation and that is what we need with the younger hurlers coming through.”

Not sure what the topic of conversation will be in the Boran household come Sunday morning, but I could have a fair guess.

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