‘There’s a greater edge to training’ - Philip Reilly

Slevin’s Coaching Westmeath Senior ‘A’ hurling final

Damien Maher

Lough Lene Gaels defender Philip Reilly is hoping the fourth time will be the charm as the Collinstown side prepare for their fourth successive Westmeath Senior Hurling Championship final, where they will face Raharney.

The Gaels have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign to date, winning all five of their games, including victories over reigning champions Castletown Geoghegan and Raharney. Now, they are just one win away from ending a 24-year wait for the Westmeath Examiner Cup, having last claimed the senior title in 2002.

Reilly knows the hard work has been done to reach another final, but the experienced defender is well aware that the biggest challenge remains ahead.

“I'm hoping this year is our year. We said at the start of the year, we wanted to get to a county final, we're back in the county final; it's all on the day now. A lot of work has been put in, not alone this year, but over the last number of years. This is our fourth final; it's hard to get to a final, but to win it is even harder; you have the work put in,” he remarked.

Despite reaching the final in each of the last three years, the Gaels have yet to get over the line, something Reilly and his teammates are determined to change.

“We started out four years ago with an aim of getting to the county final; every year we got there, but we have yet to go across the line. This year there's a couple of young lads who are strengthening the panel; if you're not showing up well at training, there's competition there. If you're not playing well at training, you won't be playing, simple as that,” he declared.

The support from the Collinstown community has been a source of encouragement for the team, with flags, bunting and banners adding to the excitement in the village ahead of the final.

“The supporters are everything to us, no matter what time of the year it is, they're always supporting us. The last three years they've been behind the team, even after a county final loss, you come out, they're still with us. When you hear that roar, when the whistle goes, it's amazing,” he enthused.

“In the semi-final wins in recent years, you could hear the Gaels roar in the back of the stand. Hopefully Sunday week it'll be roaring at the full-time whistle, ending a 24-year drought,” he added.

The Gaels have taken some notable scalps on their way to the decider, defeating Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill and Raharney during the group stages. However, Reilly insists that reaching the final was always the primary objective.

“They were big scalps, but they were just a step on the ladder to get to here. At the start of the year, our aim was to get to the county final. The first round was against Delvin, the second round was against Fr Dalton's. Then Castletown, Clonkill, and Raharney. Now we're on to step six, which is the county final, which was our aim at the start of the year,” he revealed.

The addition of younger players has strengthened the squad, bringing greater competition for places and adding pace to the side. Reilly also highlighted the continued contribution of veteran Derek McNicholas.

“You have the likes of young Ryan there, and Evan Gallagher, and Evan Murray after coming in, then thrown Conor McCrossan into the mix as well. He brings a great game with him. Derek has the knowledge: we've experience, youth, a bit of speed as well, which we didn't have there. And it brings different competition to training. If you're not performing here in the park, you won't be playing in Cusack Park,” he noted.

That depth has proved valuable during the campaign, particularly when injuries have forced changes to the starting team. Reilly pointed to the way the panel adapted when Dan Higgins was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

“We lost Dan Higgins due to a hamstring injury, Jogger went back in full-back, and Darragh Qamar came on wing-back; slotted in comfortably. That's down to the strength of the panel that we have: you come down here every night, you have 32 to 35 players every night pushing for 15 places. Obviously you're going to build strength when you have those numbers down here in competition in the park. It's everyone that's driving everyone,” he explained.

There is a strong belief within the group that this could finally be their year, but Reilly knows Raharney will provide a formidable challenge. The sides have already met this season, with the Gaels edging a close contest, while Raharney came out on top when the teams met in the final three years ago.

“Well, please God, that's our goal, to bring the Examiner Cup back to Collinstown. But it's going to be a massive battle. The last day we played them, we got a bit of luck, we got over the line, but if we rewind three years ago, they were on the right side of the scoreboard. Hopefully this year we'll be on the right side of result,” he said.

This year's championship format has also provided a different challenge, with Lough Lene Gaels progressing directly to the final rather than having to negotiate a semi-final. Reilly believes the structure has helped ensure competitive games throughout the campaign, although the team will only know after the final whether the longer break has been an advantage.

“It makes every game from the first round to the last round competitive. In other years, you win one game, and with the two teams in the semi-finals, you win one game, and you're into a final. You have to win three games, you're guaranteed a semi-final, and if you get through to the final, straight off the bat, fine. It's our first time, we haven't experienced this before,” he noted.

“You probably get to do a little bit more work with the longer build-up, but we'll tell you that after the final if it's a good thing or a bad thing!”

For Reilly and the Gaels, the hunger and desire hasn't changed. They are keen to turn another final appearance into a senior championship triumph and bring the Examiner Cup back to Collinstown for the first time in 24 years.

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