McNicholas seeks elusive senior hurling medal

As Lough Lene Gaels prepare for their showdown with Castletown Geoghegan in the Westmeath Senior 'A' Hurling Championship final on Sunday October 27, their experienced forward, Derek McNicholas, is more motivated than ever to bring home the trophy.

"He has been a terrific servant and an outstanding hurler for both club and county over many years, and few would begrudge the Lough Lene Gaels forward his day in the sun. However, McNicholas knows full well that sentiment alone won't win him that elusive senior medal."

Reflecting on last year’s heartbreaking defeat by two points to Raharney in the final, McNicholas highlighted the hunger and determination that has driven the team to this year's decider.

“Last year was tough,” McNicholas admitted. “There was a bit of pride in how we performed, but in the end, the disappointment outweighed everything. Joey (Williams) sent a message to the lads in November, asking if anyone was up for some gym sessions, and there was no hesitation. The boys were there straight away. There was a sense of unfinished business, and that sourness from the defeat carried through our training this year.”

McNicholas, who has been a stalwart for both Lough Lene Gaels and Westmeath over the years, has seen it all in his lengthy hurling career. Now, he’s determined to see his club finish on top. “We haven’t been brilliant this year yet,” he continued. “But we’re hoping that Sunday week, everything will come together because it’s going to take that to get over the line.”

The Gaels showed their resilience in the semi-final, where they overturned an eight-point deficit at half-time to defeat defending champions Raharney. It was a defining moment in their season. “Being eight points down and losing two key players, Dan Higgins and Dan Reilly, after just five minutes, it looked like a massive task,” McNicholas said.

“Tommy (Doyle) had to go back into defence, and it became a real test of our strength in depth. But we got momentum, and players like Jason Malone came on and made a big difference. That’s the power of the squad this year.”

The depth of talent has been a key factor for the Gaels throughout the season, and McNicholas believes it will be crucial in the final. “We’ve had 22 to 25 players pushing in training every week, and that keeps the whole thing together,” he explained. “You can't win a championship with just 20 players.”

Despite being one of the most experienced players on the team, McNicholas is excited about the young talent coming through at the club. “It’s a young squad with a lot of promise,” he said. “You can almost hand-pick the lads who are going to come in over the next few years and drive the team forward. These boys are good enough to push on and carry the team to future success.”

Facing Castletown Geoghegan, who won the title in 2022 and have been waiting five weeks for this final after their semi-final win, will be a huge challenge for Lough Lene Gaels. McNicholas recognises the intensity that comes with a long lay-off. “Five weeks is a long time to be without a competitive game, but we can’t control that,” he said. “We’re focused on ourselves and what we need to do. We’ve had some tough games, including a tight semi-final against Clonkill, and we feel that intensity will stand to us.”

For McNicholas, Sunday’s final is about more than just another county title; it’s about fulfilling a lifelong dream for both him and the club. “I’ve been playing with the Gaels since 2002, when I was a minor and a sub on the senior team. I’ve played in three county finals, 2005, 2007, and 2009, and lost all three. Back then, the game was different, and maybe we didn’t believe enough. But Joey has come in and changed that. He’s instilled a real drive and belief in us.”

Lough Lene Gaels are known for their hard work ethic, and McNicholas is determined to leave everything on the pitch in this final.

“We’re a hard team to beat, and we’ll give Castletown everything we have,” he said. “Bringing the cup back to Collinstown would be a dream come true, not just for me but for the entire club. We’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”

For McNicholas, the chance to lift the trophy would be the perfect culmination of years of dedication to his club. “It would be the icing on the cake for me to win this one,” he concluded. “We know what we need to do, and we’re ready for it.”

With McNicholas and his teammates ready to correct the wrongs of last year, Sunday’s final promises to be a thrilling contest.