Earlier defeat counts for little now insists Williams

Lough Lene Gaels manager Joey Williams is in upbeat mood ahead of Sunday’s Westmeath senior hurling final and suggests his side are well capable of challenging for a senior title at this stage.

He feels the positive start they got this season, overcoming Clonkill, played a part in their emergence as the main threat to the more established teams.

“It’s important to get a good start and Clonkill have been the kingpins in Westmeath for many years and every other team is out to beat them. It’s the same for Raharney and Castletown Geoghegan in that regard. If you beat one of them, you are a shoe-in for later on in the year and that’s what we set out to do,” he revealed.

Williams is fully aware of the qualities Raharney bring and feels the final may be similar to the teams’ clash in the group stages, a game won by Raharney.

“They will bring no different than they brought a few weeks ago: everyone knows everyone in Westmeath - there’s only six or seven senior clubs. Both teams will know each other inside out and it’s on the day after that. Whoever produces it gets the cup, that’s the bottom line,” he declared.

He suggests the earlier result will not have a  major bearing on Sunday’s final.

“It’s a new game and it’s 15 against 15 on Sunday; that’s how we’re approaching it and we will give it our best shot.”

Williams was delighted with his side’s victory over Castletown Geoghegan in the last four.

“It was nip and tuck: semi-finals are there to be won the same as finals, really.. We got that break in the semi-final and got over the line,” he observed.

Williams was part of great Lough Lene Gaels team, in his playing days which led the club to a number of senior hurling titles. However, that’s in the past and he now has his focus on the club’s future.

“We were lucky enough; we had a good team back in the 1990s and  in the early 2000s. We had a good bunch of lads and we won a few championships. But it’s not about us; we’re concentrating on the present group of players. What’s won is won, but we need to win more and that’s what we are concentrating on.”

The Gaels are in a good position heading into the final insofar as they have no major injury concerns.

“It’s the first time all year we have been at full strength. Tommy Doyle went off on a nice vacation! He had his rest and he’s back in action. Tommy’s a great club man. He’s a big boost to us, of course. He’d be a boost to any team - we’re glad to have him back,” said Williams.

CLOSE-KNIT

It’s a close-knit club in Collinstown and that will ensure they are tough opponents for Raharney.

“There are family links here, but it’s the same in a lot of clubs and Lough Lene Gaels is no different,” remarked Williams.

The Gaels are blessed with a brilliant free-taker in David Williams and his performance could well be crucial on Sunday.

“Frees are a big part, but the player who’s working hard to win the frees is the real hero and that goes for any team. Conditions are never going to be great for a final in October: it’s different that summer hurling. It could be wet conditions, so we will have to go with it and see what happens. It’s the same for them as for us,” he observed.

The Collinstown club has put a renewed focus on underage in recent years and it’s paying off.

“We were struggling a bit at underage and we joined up with Turin (as Na Piarsaigh) and, being honest, it has worked out very well for us because the younger lads are playing at a good standard of hurling and there are new players coming through each year. That’s what you need,” he observed.

“Our minor team is in the final as well, so that’s a massive boost for the club.”

Lough Lene Gaels have made clear strides as a club, now it’s down to putting it right on the pitch.

“It’s a small community here and there are a lot of great workers in the club. Money has been hard to come by in recent years, but we have progressed. We have two pitches, wall ball hurling and a running track. It’s coming together and it’s great to see. If we could top it off with a senior title it would be absolutely massive,” he said.

“Every club is trying to progress: we’re going out to win and that has always been the way. The hard work is paying off this year.”

Sunday’s final is the culmination of a hectic year for the club and Williams is hoping it ends on a positive note.

“We have a good panel. Everyone has rowed in this year and it’s great to see. We have been training since January and no one has let up: everyone has given 100% and that’s all we ask of them. They have got their reward in getting to the county final,” he added.