‘Gaels won’t stop until they win a senior title’ - Williams

Joey Williams, Lough Lene Gaels manager, said his side are aiming to go one step further than the last two years.

The former hurler, who won five senior titles with the club, believes they can cause an upset and topple a Castletown Geoghegan side that made a big impression in Leinster last year, defeating Kilkenny champions Thomastown after a fine display.

“We don’t fear anyone; that’s the attitude we have. If we produce our ‘A’ game, we are going to be difficult to beat. They will be difficult to stop, certainly, but we feel we have every chance going into this final,” he said.

Reflecting on last year’s loss to the same opposition, Williams is adamant his Lough Lene Gaels side would have gone very close the first day had weather conditions and fading light not led to the game being called off after 13 minutes.

“The first day, I felt we had Castletown Geoghegan on the ropes. They set up a little bit better the second day, and the early goal gave them the cushion. We hope to start better on Sunday and, if the game starts, that it finishes on the same day,” he remarked.

Williams has everyone available for selection, including Westmeath star Tommy Doyle, who could be a pivotal player.

“We have no serious injury concerns; we hope to have everyone available. We are going in to give it our best shot. It was easy to motivate the players; they knew they were not at their best in the final last year. The end goal is to win a senior title,” he said.

“We have super experience in the dressing room: Noel (Conaty), Derek (McNicholas) and Tommy (Doyle) are very seasoned campaigners at this stage. They have been around the block. However, three county finals in succession is new to them also. I feel we have a great blend of youth and experience.”

He was pleased with his side’s victory over Raharney in the semi-final, which he felt was more impressive than the final scoreline suggests.

“I felt we were the best team in the semi-final, and a five or six-point win would not have flattered us. We conceded a late goal which took the gloss off it,” he observed.

He is acutely aware that it’s no easy challenge to win a Westmeath Senior Hurling title.

“Finals are not easily won - no one will hand you a county senior title. It’s 23 years since we won one, and we are fully determined to put that right, but we realise it’s a huge task that faces us,” he said.

“We have to outscore them. I don’t doubt our work rate or intensity; we will match them in all those areas. But we have to get the scores on the board, and we have to cut out the threats they have. We have sharpshooters too, and they will be looking at that, but it will be about taking our scoring chances, I feel.

“It took us some years to get the players to this level, but it’s a very special time for the club to get to three senior finals. I’m certain they will not stop until they win one.”

Lough Lene Gaels star Tommy Doyle (joint captain alongside Micheál Daly) said there’s a great buzz in the club and everyone is looking forward to the big day.

“We just want to get out and play. You need a bit of luck on the day - we hope it’s a case of third time lucky for us after the last two finals. We have had our chances to win a senior title and just haven’t taken them - we now have another one next Sunday,” he remarked.

He and his Lough Lene Gaels colleagues are aiming to atone for defeats in the past two years.

“Last year, I went playing soccer the Thursday after the county final, just to get it out of the system. This year the championship has been great, and we have been blessed with fine weather all year; I think the standard of hurling has been very good,” he said.

The Westmeath star feels Lough Lene Gaels have matured as a team over recent years, and he hopes that can lead them to the Holy Grail on Sunday.

“There is leadership everywhere in this team, and we have players who can show up on any given day. Thomas Kennedy, for example, came in and did a great job the last day. He has been chomping at the bit. We have players like that who can come in and take their opportunity,” he observed.

Reflecting on this year’s first-round defeat by Castletown Geoghegan, Doyle said the Gaels put a lot into the match and were disappointed to come out the wrong side having failed to produce their best. His late goal was ruled out in that game, but ultimately it didn’t have serious implications as they succeeded in winning their way into Sunday’s final.

“The first game is always huge - there’s real energy going into it. We underperformed in that first-round game and we were there or thereabouts. At the end of the day, that defeat didn’t really matter. Maybe things happen for a reason,” he said.

Doyle feels there’s very little between the top teams in Westmeath on any given day, and Lough Lene Gaels have the ability to match any opposition.

“There are a number of teams in the county and, on the day, they are a match for each other. It’s about fine margins on the day - we’re delighted to be back in another final,” he added.