'We’re gutted at how we lost that game' admits Gaels supremo

It was a case of agony and the ecstasy all rolled into one. Raharney celebrated another senior hurling title, their first since 2021 and 15th in total, while Lough Lene Gaels, who were leading with normal time up, were left feeling a slight sense of injustice after such a monumental effort fell short.

Manager Joey Williams had his troops well fired up for Sunday’s final and it was looking rosy following goals from David Williams (penalty) and Derek McNicholas, who produced a superb finish in the second half. He said his players were 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.”

Williams said Lough Lene Gaels will regroup and come back for another tilt next year.

“We were coming in here to win a championship and we produced our best performance in many years. It’s back to the drawing board again in January; we were 14 years waiting to get back here and we wanted to win the title. We came so close to doing it and it’s tough to take, but we will bounce back.”

Raharney manager Ger Flanagan was full of admiration for what Lough Lene Gaels brought to Sunday’s decider.

“Lough Lene Gaels put in a great performance and really put us to the pin of our collar and it was a moment of inspiration that saved us. I knew we’d get one more chance to get an equaliser, maybe: I didn’t think Killian would do what he did. I would have been very happy if he tapped it over the bar, but to do what he did after missing that penalty chance that most people would back him to score; it was a tremendous effort,” he observed.

“I knew Derek McNicholas was on fire from the first ball he came out for and he really pushed us today: Jogger (Tommy Doyle) got over his injury and was excellent; young (David) Williams also and Eoin Daly who got man of the match.” Flanagan gave credit to Lough Lene Gaels for putting serious pressure on their half back line.

“They were tremendous today and our strongest line was under pressure. We couldn’t really build a platform; we were struggling to get out of the half back line with any real presence and couldn’t control the game. But we stayed going in the second half and thankfully the ball fell to the right people,” he noted.