Joe Fortune: ‘Massive tests’ ahead for hurlers in coming weeks
It was a pragmatic case of ‘job done’ for Westmeath senior hurling manager Joe Fortune when he spoke to the media after his side had opened their 2022 National League campaign with a solid, if unspectacular, win against Kerry in TEG Cusack Park last Sunday afternoon.
The general consensus during half-time chats was that the first half had been a very poor spectacle. In this regard, the Wexford native opined: “I didn’t think six points was really enough of a lead at half-time and we had a couple of real words with the lads that were needed during the break.
“But look, there was a massive wind out there and it was our first ‘real’ competitive game. We can talk about the Kehoe Cup as much as we want, but this was our first ‘real’ challenge with teams really going at it.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half, but in the second half I thought we showed real character and when we needed that goal, (Jack) Gillen really went at it and scored it. Derek (McNicholas), not bad for an auld lad, came on and settled us with a great point! Jack Galvin came on and did well, and his delivery of ball was really good.
“We have an awful lot of work to do, I keep saying it. We’d be happy with maybe 15/20 minutes of what we did today, but Kerry are a very strong, physical and athletic team and Stephen (Molumphy) has done great work with them.
“We went 11 points up and then allowed it back to four, so we’ve a lot of improving to do but I’m very proud of them. I’m happy overall because if you’d offered me that this morning coming up the road, I would have taken it,” he added.
Jack Gillen (two, including a penalty) and Niall Mitchell scored the winners’ crucial goals, and Fortune was delighted with the two towering forwards’ contribution.
“We’ve been talking to both Jack and Niall about taking their man on. They both have the capability of hitting the net hard, as I watched them in the club championships and they are well able to do it,” he stated.
“That’s what top forwards do and I think that’s what they are. They are really leading the line for me over the last couple of weeks.”
Speaking about injuries and the panel in general, the Malahide-based teacher stated: “Davy (Glennon) really lifted the standards when he came on and I wouldn’t expect anything less, but he went over on his ankle after 20 minutes as the ground was quite sticky.
“Niall O’Brien is probably a week or two from returning, as is young (Robbie) Greville. All the lads are really competitive and there were lads sitting up in the stand who didn’t get to come on.
“We have a group of lads who really want to play for Westmeath and I think that’s really important going forward. The next couple of weeks are going to be really massive tests and today was about getting day one out of the way, so we’ll move on.”
When it was put to him that his side had conceded lot of frees, the bainisteoir responded: “Shane (Hynes, the referee) really ran it by the letter of the law today and we wouldn’t be happy with our tackling.
“I thought we were loose with our hands by times, but that’s why I’m in the job I’m in – to improve them this week, and we’ve a lot of work to do on our tackling and on our shooting.
“But you can’t coach effort or heart, and when it really came down to it the lads did show heart. I’m happy with the application of the lads and everyone in Westmeath really needs to get behind this team over the next number of weeks and number of months. It’s really important that we get back to Division 1 and I’ve told the lads that.”
In relation to round two next Saturday in Carlow, Fortune concluded: “It’s not an easy place to go to. We did well there last week (in what effectively the Kehoe Cup final). We’ve a lot of improving to do, but we look forward to that trip next weekend.”
– Gerry Buckley