Fortune warns of ‘big job’ in crunch clash
In the aftermath of last Saturday’s dramatic draw with Wexford, Westmeath hurling manager Joe Fortune used the word ‘special’ on more than one occasion. It was with good reason too, as Westmeath earned a draw in the Leinster SHC against the almost unbackable pre-match favourites.
“It’s a special day,” said Fortune at one stage, highlighting his delight at the sight of young supporters seeking out Westmeath players for autographs and photos afterwards.
“The lads put in a massive effort. Aaron Craig, who spent a couple of years playing club hurling in Wexford, spoke about belief all week. It’s the team that drives it,” said Fortune, who also paid tribute to his backroom team, mentioning Eddie Casey, Paul O’Donoghue, Peter Kelly and Richie Flynn. “Their effort is phenomenal,” he said.
“I’m the one who gets to do the interviews on the good days and the bad days. After the Carlow and Down matches, people probably questioned what we were doing at all. I’m just so proud of the lads,” he continued.
“Today was just a colossal effort, to finish it like we did it with the crowd behind us was really special.
“Those boys will be in the lake tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock for half an hour as part of their recovery. People don’t see what lads put on hold to be a Westmeath senior inter-county hurler. And if they continue to apply themselves, they could achieve something special.”
Considering that Fortune is a Wexford native, last Saturday’s game was an emotional occasion for the Dublin-based teacher.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m a proud Wexford man. My man and dad had a tough enough week. I don’t want to put Wexford out of the championship. I just wanted to do my best for the team I’m with now,” he said.
“It’s about winning and it was just unfortunate that we didn’t get that extra point at the end to put a massive gloss on the performance.”
On the other hand, Fortune feared Wexford would break Westmeath hearts with a last-gasp point after a goal from veteran substitute Derek McNicholas had levelled matters. Overall, however, he insisted his team deserved a share of the spoils.
“We looked up for it the whole game and our touch was good. ‘Jogger’ (Tommy) Doyle, what a man, ye should build a statue to him in Westmeath, I’m telling ye. He’s colossal.
“Derek (McNicholas) came in and made a difference, there is life in that man yet,” said Fortune, also praising how Killian Doyle didn’t allow some early misses to affect him.
Despite his pride at last Saturday’s laudable display, Fortune warned that his charges must produce something similar against Laois this Saturday (Portlaoise, throw-in 6pm) in order to stay in the MacCarthy Cup ranks.
“I’m a happy man tonight but at the same time I’m conscious that we have such a big job next Saturday night. It’s a hugely proud night for Westmeath people, but we have to get the job done next Saturday,” he declared.
“Nobody wants to go back down and ‘Cheddar’ (Seamus Plunkett) is a proud Laois man and that’s a proud Laois team. I’m sure they have a few players to come back from their game this evening (a heavy defeat to Galway). It will be a battle in O’Moore Park.
“The unfortunate thing for hurling is one of the teams who really wants to get better has to go down. From a hurling point of view, at some stage if they really want to develop Westmeath hurling, Laois hurling and Offaly hurling, something has to be done to keep them up for two or three years to allow young players to develop and experience what’s it’s like to play Leinster senior championship hurling.”
There were some tense moments between the Westmeath and Wexford camps as the players made their way off the pitch at half-time. In that regard, Fortune said: “The only disappointing thing about today is that at half-time there was a few things said between both sets of officials. One thing I’d say is that as a team we go to hurl; we never go out to do anything else other than that. People in the right places need to know that this Westmeath team died on their shields today, but it was for nothing else except hurling.”