Gaels hoping to gain an edge as big day looms

Slevin’s Coaching Westmeath Senior ‘A’ hurling final

Damien Maher

A grain of rice can tip the scales. Lough Lene Gaels are reaching for inspiration from the late Páidí Ó Sé as they explain how the introduction of top coaches has helped give his side a sharper edge this year.

The Gaels are preparing for their fourth final in succession. They have lost the previous three. Many doubt their ability to get over the line, but Joey Williams is adamant they have learned from past failures and are driven by the hurt of those three losses. For manager Williams, motivation will not be a challenge, but he was keen to make sure no stone was left unturned.

“We brought in Conor (O’Shea) with Mike Connolly and Shane McInerney. There's brilliant experience between the three of them and they have added a good bit to the club and to the bunch of players,” explained Williams ahead of Sunday’s senior final.

“To be fair, if you don't have players buying into it, there's no point having coaches. The boys here never let us down; we can't ask any more of them.”

O’Shea has vast experience as hurling coach in the capital, working with UCD, Faughs and the Dublin minors. His mother, Edel Murphy, forged a decorated Camogie career with Crumlin and Dublin, while his father, Eamonn, the former Tipperary coach, also hurled with the Dublin club.

Connolly is a Waterford native and McInerney hails from Galway.

Williams is hoping fourth time will be the charm. Unlike previous seasons, when the Gaels had to negotiate a semi-final and a shorter run-in to the decider, they secured direct passage to this year's final and have had a five-week break to prepare.

They are relishing the challenge as they look to end a 24-year wait for a senior title, having last lifted the trophy in 2002.

“It's our fourth go at it and we’re really looking forward to it. There's a bit of a break before the final this year. We have enjoyed the little run into it, to be fair and are just really looking forward to it,” remarked Williams.

The Gaels and Raharney last met in a final three years ago, when just two points separated the sides at the finish. Williams knows there is little to choose between the teams, despite the passage of time since that encounter.

“There's a lot of hurling done since 2023. To be fair, for the last few years we've been knocking on the door. There are three or four teams there any year who can win it. Lucky enough, we've been in the melting pot every day for the last four years. We're delighted to be there,” he said.

The teams also crossed paths in the group stages this year, with the Gaels coming out on top in another closely contested encounter.

“We were just lucky it was still a hop at the ball, really, at the end of the day. I thought we hurled very well in the first half, and in the second half we lost our way for a while,” he observed.

“Raharney got back into it and at the end, there wasn't much in it. I have no doubt in a few days' time there won't be a lot in it either.”

The Gaels have been knocking on the door for several seasons, but Williams is hopeful that the lessons learned from previous campaigns will help them take the final step this time around.

“We thought every year for the last four years, it could be our day. Hopefully, this year will be different. We have learned a lot in the last three years. This year we got a different route. We got straight to the final. We're hoping we are a step further from where we were the last couple of years,” he remarked.

The Gaels have impressed with their skill and use of possession this season, but Williams believes that limiting mistakes will be crucial when the sides meet in the decider.

“Being honest, this time of the year, whoever makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins the game because it's back into wet, damp conditions. It's a different hurling than it was a month ago. We're used to conditions this time of the year. We're really pushing it hard this year to see can we make the difference,” he said.

“And we said at the start of the year, the target is to be in the shake-up on the last day, and that's where we are.”

There are a few injury concerns in the Gaels camp, but Williams is confident that the strength of his panel will stand to the team if any players fail to recover in time.

“We have a few little injuries. But, being honest, every team at this level and when you're competing for finals, you have injury worries. Hopefully, the boys will be fit on the day,” he said.

“We have a better panel this year than we had for the last three years. If there's someone not fit to play, we have another man to step in his place. We trust every one of the boys who are training. That's the way we're looking at it,” he remarked.

Asked what might be decisive, Williams pointed to the competitive nature of the two sides and the fine margins that often decide championship matches.

“The scoreboard is key. But, being honest, it's going to be hard work and whoever wants it the most, really, I think will win it,” he opined.

“I don't think we'll be found wanting in that department. There's very skilful hurlers on both sides, to be fair. It's really whoever shoots the lights out on the day and gets to rub of the green.

“And maybe it'll go down to free-takers. I don't know. There's a lot depending on the weather as well: but the weather looks good for the next week or so.”

While the Gaels have a blend of youth and experience, Williams pointed out that Ryan Williams is the only young player to have made a significant breakthrough onto the team this year.

He also highlighted the contribution of veteran Derek McNicholas, who continues to impress.

“Ryan Williams is the only young lad we have on the team this year. We have a couple on the bench, alright. To be fair, Ryan broke through onto the team. We have a good balance.

“Derek is a veteran. He's there for over 20 years. I actually don't think he's going to stop until he wins a senior medal,” he remarked.

Dan Higgins is another player whose fitness will be monitored in the build-up to the final after he was forced off during the last group game against Raharney.

“Dan got knocked early in that last group game against Raharney. He had to go off after 10 or 15 minutes. It's a hamstring issue. He has a problem. Hopefully, he'll be right for the day,” said Williams.

There is a palpable sense of excitement around the Lough Lene Gaels community, with Williams praising the support the team has received throughout their recent run of final appearances.

“To be fair, for the last four years, the support we have is brilliant. And when you come down here and you see the young lads really wanting to play and look up to these boys here, it's brilliant. Hopefully, in the future, our club will really prosper from this,” he enthused.

“But ultimately, we want to get over the line on Sunday week. And I think we are in a good place. And hopefully, we'll get the look on the day and we'll get over the line.”

The final will also be a special occasion for Williams, with his son David captaining the side. The manager recalled that David was captain of the club's under-19 team when they won a title, and he hopes that history can repeat itself.

“It's a good omen. Because the last time he was captain, he was under 19 when we won it. I hope it follows through,” he noted.

“But to be fair, captain doesn't really mean a lot. We have boys here and they were captains for years, and brilliant captains, and just unlucky on the day. And we are hoping it will work out for David and for the rest of the boys on the day,” he added.

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