Cunneen feels team who works harder will prevail
Selvin’s Coaches Westmeath Senior ‘A’ hurling final
Lough Lene Gaels and Raharney renew their rivalry next weekend as they meet in the 2026 Westmeath Senior A Hurling Championship Final at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday, October 18, with the Examiner Cup at stake.
The Gaels may go into the decider with a perfect record of five wins from five games, but opponents Raharney will be looking to end their winning streak. Wins in 2021 and 2023 mean Raharney have 15 titles under their belt, so the incentive of catching up with Castletown Geoghegan in the title rankings is a fair motivation.
“When we won in '21, we thought we were going to get there every year. But you soon realise they don't come around every year. You really have to treasure being in every final that you get to. Try to get to as many as you possibly can and win as many as you can as well,” Éamonn Cunneen said of build-up.
The young Raharney midfielder has a taste for success. Their last championship title was claimed in a head to head with next Sunday's opponents: “In our last win in '23 we played the Gaels that day. We were lucky to get out with the win. We're well aware of how well the Gaels have been performing. We know it could come down to that puck of ball again the next day. Hopefully we're on the right side of the result."
The return of Johnny Greville has played a part in the 2026 campaign. After his departure from the top spot in Meath hurling, he brought his wealth of knowledge back to his home club: “Johnny's been brilliant. I never had the opportunity to work with him at club level before now. This year he's brought an incredible organisation to it all. It's just been really, really good to work so closely with him throughout the year. We're in a great place going into the county final.”
Cunneen is the embodiment of an old head on young shoulders. He is 23 years of age, yet the role of vice-captain sits easily on said shoulders. He's been playing senior hurling for six years and his description of his colleagues is measured: “We're a well-seasoned side. We have a nice mix of youth and experience. Hopefully it just gets us over the line.”
The sides have already produced a high-scoring encounter this season. When they met in the group stage in September, Lough Lene Gaels came out on top by 2-22 to 1-23, a five-point gap, but a scoreline that demonstrated the attacking threat both teams possess.
“They've been excellent all year. They were fully deserving of the win on the last day. We know we're going to have to work hard in order to get over the line. But hopefully we can do it,” Éamonn says.
Raharney secured their final spot thanks to a hard-fought 1-23 to 1-19 semi-final victory over reigning champions Castletown-Geoghegan on October 4.
“Castletown Geoghegan had won three in a row,” he recalls, “We were well aware of that going into the game. They'd been in the last number of finals. To get over the line and get that off our backs, we were delighted.”
That result underlined their credentials and sets up the intriguing challenge.
While The Gaels will be eager to turn their strong league stage form into a championship triumph, Raharney have the experience and scoring power to make this a close contest.
The dynamic Raharney midfielder has a clear view of what is needed to win: “I think the game is going to come down to how hard we can work. Everyone knows how intense and hard-working the Gaels are. We're going to have to really up our own work rate. And hopefully the hurling can take care of itself. County finals are won and lost on hard work.”
With familiar opponents and a county title on the line, supporters can expect a compelling battle in on Sunday.
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