The Special One.....

The 17th of March 1978 will always be a special memory for everyone in Clongowes at the time. But especially those of us in Panel 1. The truth is we overcame huge psychological and physical hurdles to win a Leinster Schools Senior Cup that we probably had no right to win. 

I guess when your school hasn’t won a senior cup in 52 years it is not surprising that you become conditioned to losing gracefully. The main reason 1978 was SO dramatically different though, was down to the arrival in Clongowes of one Michael Sheil.

Being a somewhat humbler sort than Jose Mourinho he certainly never called himself “The Special One” but there is no doubt he was special.

Greg Dilger, CWC Captain 1978

Over the years so many compliments and tributes have been paid to Michael that it is difficult to say anything particularly original. Yet to say that he was one of the most influential people in our lives is no exaggeration. 

Of course, he was a brilliant and innovative rugby coach - way ahead of his time. His training sessions were sharp and purposeful. Never before did we have such a clear vision of what we were doing both as individuals and as a team. He sensitively let you know what your weaknesses were and what you needed to do to improve. 

Woomba Woomba Woomba
Lansdowne Road Macrh 17th 1978

He wasn’t slow to let you know when agreed standards weren’t met. But was also hugely encouraging about what we did well and helped us to build on that. He helped us to understand and believe that it was worth doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. 

He was enlightened and confident enough to bring in specialist expertise in the shape of Roly Meates and Ollie Campbell. That’s real leadership. Many coaches of that era might have been a bit too proud and threatened to do that. But as I already said - “he was way ahead of his time!”

The way he pulled together a bunch of ordinary guys who in all honesty had never shown any cup winning potential through the previous five years and turned us into a winning outfit, is quite simply an incredible coaching achievement.   

Vinny Murray, Martin Nugent with Noel Turley 1988 LSSC Final v St Michael's
Photo ©RMcDermott

Off the field as Higher Line Prefect he was even more influential. I think I can safely speak for all of our group by saying he tried to make us better people. He challenged us constantly. He helped us to think better about life and what was important. He wasn’t alone in this - we had some wonderful other Jesuits and teachers during our years in Clongowes - but he stood out a mile! 

Looking back, it’s clear he was a driving force in creating a culture of excellence - not just in Clongowes rugby, but in Clongowes generally.

And yet we know that WINNING was never Michael Sheil’s obsession. He was much more interested in helping individuals and teams to get better. After that the results would look after themselves. I suppose that’s why he enjoyed coaching the Super Thirds every bit as much as the SCT. 

Birthday Boy
Photo Robert Kryger

Michael Sheil always refuses to accept praise for the ‘78 Cup win without sharing it with his great friend the late great Vinny Murray. 

Vinny played a major part in our success and went on himself to lead Clongowes to even more Senior Cup success before he sadly passed away in 1999. Not surprisingly Vinny would always say that Michael Sheil taught him everything he knew.

The great man celebrated his 80th birthday in June this year. A very simple calculation reminds us he was only 40 back in 1978. 

And we thought he was ancient.

Greg Dilger on behalf of Rhetoric 1978 and Panel One

Back Row Vinny Murray, John Bolger, Mark Collis, Con Clifford, Tim Meagher, John Rock, Willie Burns, Mick Sheil
Front Row Martin Coyne, Ambrose O'Sullivan, Barry Walker, Greg Dilger (Capt), Dermot Waldron, Gerry Healy, Freddie Browne
Seated; Tony O'Sullivan, Mark Attride (RIP)

CWC 1978 Memories