Clavin: ‘Raharney will be hard beaten’
With captain Neal Kirby (army duties) and vice-captain Shane Clavin (injured) both unavailable for last year’s Westmeath senior ‘A’ hurling final, it was Dean McDermott who led out Castletown-Geoghegan ahead of their heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Clonkill.
However, Clavin is now fit and raring to go as he gets set to skipper the side in the famous black and amber stripes when they face Raharney on Sunday afternoon, writes Gerry Buckley.
The 2021 captain is very much looking forward to the showdown against their age-old Deelside rivals. He said: “It’s nice to get back to where we were last year. Obviously, that was a huge disappointment in losing again to Clonkill. Personally, it was heart-breaking to miss out on the semi-final and final last year.
“We managed to get the Clonkill ‘monkey’ off our backs in this year’s semi-final. In 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020, they knocked us out each time. That was tough, and eventually we got the win.”
However, he is aware that the job is not yet complete. Comparing Mayo’s latest heartbreak recently in their 70-year quest for the Sam Maguire Cup, when they lost to Tyrone in the decider after getting the Dublin ‘monkey’ off the green and red backs in the penultimate round, he added: “It doesn’t mean much if we don’t get over the line in the final. After the semi-final, we were very aware that there were no trophies handed out that day in Mullingar. It was a great win, but just one win.”
Clavin and many of his hurling colleagues togged out for St Malachy's in their narrow Westmeath IFC semi-final loss at the hands of Milltownpass.
“The bulk of the Castletown team also play for St Malachy’s. It’s great and it has created a good momentum," said Clavin. "Winning can be a habit. Everyone is happy once they’re winning,” he said. “I think we have played 12 games in the last 13 weeks, and we are well used to it. Kenny McKinley, our football manager, has been very fair and very accommodating in relation to our hurling commitments.”
Looking ahead to the hurling final, the teak-tough defender who has been on the Westmeath senior panel in recent years, continued: “Raharney will be hard beaten. We played against them in the first round of the championship and it was a draw. There was nothing between us that day.
“They have star players all over the field. They have improved as the championship went along, but I think we have improved as well.”
And where does he envisage the game being won and lost? He replied: “There will probably be only a puck of the ball in the game. A lot will depend on how the game plays out on the day. A lot could depend on the weather. It will probably come down to who wants that dirty ball more, who is hungrier for the breaking ball. It will be November hurling. So it’s not going to be the prettiest.”
In a word, will (Covid restrictions permitting) the most prized silverware in Lake County hurling be making its way out to Castletown-Geoghegan next Sunday afternoon? Clavin concludes: “Please God, as we’ve waited a long time since 2017. The last few years have been heart-breaking.
“We’re very hopeful. The win against Clonkill gave us great confidence. Finals are there to be won and we need to push on and bring that cup to Castletown.”