Doyle wonder goal leaves the Gaels gutted
Raharney manager Ger Flanagan was a most relieved man after the final whistle in Sunday’s Westmeath senior ‘A’ hurling final and paid tribute to a tenacious Lough Lene Gaels side that pushed the pre-match favourites all the way.
Ultimately a magnificent Killian Doyle goal proved the difference as the Deelsiders won their 15th senior hurling title and second in three years following a pulsating encounter at TEG Cusack
Park.
There was still time for Gaels' talisman Derek McNicholas to strike the butt of the post from a late, late free as the Collinstown men came agonisingly close.
“Your heart would go out to Lough Lene Gaels; they are a great team and gave a tremendous performance. It’s 21 years since they won their last title, but they are not far away from winning it again,” remarked Flanagan.
“I still can’t believe that outstanding goal by Killian Doyle. We were struggling to win ball and he came up with that vital score. I thought Brian McGrath (introduced at half-time) made a major difference: he won ball and scored a great goal.”
Lough Lene Gaels manager Joey Williams said his side was gutted at the defeat and he bemoaned the final free won by Raharney which led to the Killian Doyle goal.
“We produced the best game of hurling we have played in years and we are just devastated at the outcome. I never considered us underdogs; we were here to do a job. To me a refereeing decision at the end was key to losing that game, that’s being honest,” he remarked.
“I can’t see where that (last Raharney) free came from. I’m gutted, I couldn't ask for any more off the boys. It’s very hard to take; our player (Eoin Daly) got man of the match, that’s how dominant we were.”
Ger Flanagan reflected on a close battle in the second half and admitted Doyle’s wonder goal rescued the situation.
“He wasn’t having one of his best days, but it just shows the character of the player. It was Ciaran (twin brother) who hit the ball into him. Then Lough Lene Gaels hit the post (late Derek McNicholas free) and Gary Greville told me that the ball hit off his side and then hit the post, so it was really close. It was on target and would have gone in only for Gary got in the way."
The winning manager felt poor execution cost his side in the first half.
“We hit a lot of wides in the first half, uncharacteristic wides and once Lough Lene Gaels scored the penalty they were back in the game. They were very good in the second half and the only time we looked like winning the game was when Killian got that goal. Devin Hill, along with young (Brian) McGrath added greatly to it. He (Hill) transfers the quality he has in football to the game and has great potential. We were getting turned over in the first half and were a bit static on the ball," he remarked.
Flanagan praised the team spirit in the group and said they will now focus on the Leinster campaign.
“We were looking for a performance today and we didn’t really get it, but we showed great character and it gives us confidence now going facing the Dublin champions. We will regroup, let the boys celebrate and then go and take on the Dublin champions. Raharney have tremendous ability; the talent is there with all the county players they have. It’s about getting them to play as a team which I think we did for most of the year.”