Shaw hails defensive resolve as Raharney make it two from two

Raharney manager John Shaw was pleased with the result but less so with the performance after his side made it two wins from two in the Westmeath Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship with victory over Clonkill on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, Shaw admitted the match was far from a classic but highlighted his side’s improved defensive display as a key positive, in particular their success in limiting Clonkill to just one goal, which came late on.

“We are definitely pleased with that,” Shaw said. “I think Aaron (McHugh) was outstanding today in the goals. A lot of high, dropping balls under the crossbar, and I thought he dealt with them extremely well.

“Obviously, last year was a lot of bad memories for last year, with high balls dropping in around the square, so we’re certainly determined that we won’t be conceding too many goals this year.”

Raharney, who were stung by Clonkill in the group stages last year, had opened the scoring with an early goal of their own, one Shaw was happy to take, after Killian Doyle’s effort dropped to the net.

“It was lucky goal. Last year we got unlucky goals against us in a few games. We rode our luck a little bit there today.”

While Raharney led for long stretches, the manager felt his side’s decision-making and efficiency in front of goal will need to improve.

“It wasn’t a great performance,” he reflected. “I think both teams, even talking to Clonkill lads, it wasn’t a great spectacle for a neutral. But look, it’s a results business I suppose, and we were caught last year against Clonkill. I’d say our lads were definitely nervous, it was a nervous kind of display.

“We didn’t use the ball the way we’d normally use it; we missed an awful lot of chances. From 36 shots at the goal, we only scored 17 or 18, so that won’t cut the mustard later on.

“I’m happy with the result and I said to the lads I can’t fault their effort, it was tremendous all the way through, from 1-15 and a couple of lads that came on. I’m very happy with the result, but that performance won’t be near what’s required for later on.”

Raharney will now turn their attention to their next clash against Lough Lene Gaels in two weeks’ time, a tie Shaw expects to be a major test.

“We’re carrying a lot of knocks there, a lot of players missing as well, so hopefully we get them back now in a few weeks’ time with the Gaels next, and that’ll be a humdinger, I’d say.”

Shaw revealed that experienced defender Robbie Greville is set for an extended spell on the sidelines following a freak injury sustained off the pitch.

“Robbie Greville picked up a knock doing a job at home, he made bits of his finger putting a peg into a hole. So Robbie may stick to the day job, I think,” he quipped.

“He’s out for a long time, he’s going to be out for a couple of months: it’s unlikely we’ll have him back. If we get to a final, maybe we might have him back. He’s obviously a massive player for us, centre half back, and was captain for a number of years.”

The Deelsiders are also without current captain Darren Finn (knee injury) and Devin Hill (hand injury), but Shaw expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the younger players who have stepped up in their absence.

“We’ve a big panel, and I hope the lads that came on there, Joe Mulvaney, Callum McKeogh and Luke Darby, they all made their débuts this year, and Pearse Weir, and they’ve done well for us. I’m delighted for them that they got their chance here today.”

While performances may not yet be at the level Shaw demands, Raharney’s results speak for themselves.

With four points from two games, they’ve built early momentum in a competitive group and their manager is refusing to look any further than the next outing.

“It’s all about winning games, you can’t look further than the game you’re playing.

“In Westmeath, any of the teams, they’re competitive, so you just can’t look further than the next game ahead. We are playing the Gaels next, and that’ll be our main focus for two weeks’ time.”

Clonkill, with one win from two outings, are not out of the running, but they are facing Castletown Geoghegan in the third round, and Lough Lene Gaels after that. Manager Mickey Dan Murtagh felt his side competed very well and had a couple of decent goal chances, but the Raharney 'keeper made some telling saves on the evening. A crucial period lies ahead for the Loughegar outfit, who missed the influence of players like Rian Holding and Peadar Scally.