Balancing Studies, Hurling, and Football
Ronan Beatty is currently juggling a hectic schedule, with his accountancy exams just around the corner. This marks the end of two months spent studying intensely every morning. “I’m giving it my all right now,” he says with a laugh, referring to this final push before his exams.
In between his studies, Beatty is preparing for what could be one of the most significant matches of his career. Carryduff will face Portaferry at Páirc Aodha Dhuibh on Saturday, a game that brings together many players he once played alongside during Down’s promotion to Division 1B. This match represents not only a test of skill but also a chance to face familiar faces from his inter-county hurling days.
At 27, this is Beatty’s first experience in the Down SHC with Carryduff. While he has always had a passion for hurling, football was always his dream. “Tony Austin, part of Ronan Sheehan’s Down management team, was one of my teachers in school. He was always trying to get me involved with Down,” he recalls.
Despite attending some training sessions while still in school, Beatty focused on football. His talent quickly caught the attention of Paddy Tally, James McCartan, and Conor Laverty, who hoped he would bring a new dimension to their forward division. However, his county career never really took off due to a series of injuries that kept him sidelined for long periods.
Overcoming Setbacks
Beatty admits that his journey has been filled with challenges. “You could write a book about it,” he says. “There’s no point dwelling on it.” His grandfather, Dan Rooney, was a selector in 1968 when Down won the All-Ireland, and this legacy was a strong motivation for Beatty. “After the games on Friday nights I’d ring him to give him updates, so I wanted to play for Down too.”
Unfortunately, injuries continued to plague his career. “There’s nothing worse than being injured; it’s so frustrating,” he adds. Last year, after completing a full pre-season with football, he was cut from the team. “Lav basically said to me, ‘I couldn’t get you on the pitch.’” The same pattern repeated over the years, leading him to accept that football might not be his path.
Finding New Passion in Hurling
It wasn’t until he turned 27 that Beatty got his first chance to play competitively for Down, but this time it was hurling instead of football. “I felt like I could still offer something,” he says. His performance in hurling was impressive, especially after Daithi Sands was sidelined for much of the National League campaign.
However, Beatty’s injury troubles followed him into the hurling season as well. A torn rotator cuff forced him out of the Division 2A final against Kildare, which impacted Down’s Joe McDonagh Cup campaign. Despite this setback, he found joy in the sport. “It’s funny, I was turning up to training and some of the boys wouldn’t even have known who I was because I hadn’t been hurling for the past three or four years. But they’re a great group.”
Facing Old Rivals
Saturday’s match against Portaferry is a challenge for Carryduff, as Portaferry are seen as favorites to win the championship. Michael Ennis, who led Ballycran to victory in 2021, knows the opposition well. “They’re the team to beat in Down, everybody knows that,” he says. “To be competing with the likes of Portaferry can only stand us in good stead.”
Portaferry’s chances of winning Ulster remain strong, given the number of Down players in their ranks. “If they don’t win an Ulster senior club in the next few years, they’d probably see it as a missed opportunity,” Ennis adds.
Looking Ahead
Football is still a big part of Beatty’s life. He is working hard on both fronts, with the start of the Down SFC just weeks away. Carryduff is among the chasing pack aiming to end Kilcoo’s dominance. “Every year there’s always talk of Carryduff – I’m fed up saying ‘maybe this is our year’,” he says. “Honestly, it’s just good to be out training and playing.”
Beatty is optimistic about his future in football. “I didn’t know if I’d need surgery after the injury against Kildare, but thankfully I’ve gotten back to the football as well and had a good run of it recently. Fingers crossed, that carries on.”