"The
lads are fairly confident. We have a 50/50 chance of success but the final will
be a journey into the unknown.” The view of David Lawlor, a Killeigh/Raheen
selector on his side's chances of victory in next Sunday's intermediate hurling
final clash with south Offaly supremos, Ballyskenach.
David's non-commital views are shared by the other selectors, Mick O'Rourke and Tom Feery and by trainer, Kinnitty man Percy Clendennen. The players, according to team captain, Pat Lannigan are quietly confident but they realise that they'll have to give their all if they are to emerge victorious.
“We have the talent. We have a lot of good, young players but we realise that we have to play at our best if we are to beat Ballyskenach stressed Pat.
His comments were backed up by Percy Clendennen who believes that his charges have what it takes to capture the coveted title if all goes well on the day. 'They are a great set of lads who have given the commitment needed,” pointed out Percy.
A Proud Tradition
Hurling has a long and proud tradition in the area, particularly in the Killeigh end of the parish and it is from there that the bulk of the intermediate team hail from. The intermediate title was last scooped by the club in l981, but then it was Killeigh on their own who grabbed the honours on that occasion.
Percy Clendennen pointed out that Killeigh/Raheen was regarded in his day as the foremost hurling club in the north of the county and he recalls clashes between themselves and Kinnitty in the past. In particular, Percy remembers the tough battle Kinnitty had to beat Kilieigh in the junior final of 1966.
Mick O'Rourke, himself a former inter-county footballer, was one of the stars of those days as was the father of Philip Deering, the current intermediate goalie.
One of the players who brought the 1981 title back to Killeigh, Fint Kelly will be lining out for Sunday's clash but apart from him and Pat Lanningan, a Geashill man, the remainder of the team are in their early 20s. In fact, five of the team played on the team which captured the 1994 U-2l 'B' county title recently.
Percy Clendennen pointed out that quite a lot of the team have been hurling together right up through school and the different championships games. Many of them were on the side which won the U-16 hurling title in 1992.
Killeigh/Raheen is a football dominated club and some of the players who line out on the senior foolball team will be playing on Sunday.
Unknown Opposition
Killeigh/Raheen's clash with Ballyskenach is somewhat of a journey into the unknown as neither side has met in recent memory in this grade. David Lawlor was an interested spectator at the Ballyskenach/Birr semi-final clash and he was very impressed with Ballyskenach's performance.
Percy Clendennen is very much aware of the threat posed by the reigning junior champions. He also saw part of the Ballyskenach/Birr encounter and earlier in the year even predicted that Ballyskenach would win out this grade. “They are a very young, determined team and I was impressed with their performance against Birr” he added.
This is Percy's first year at the helm in Killeigh/Raheen but the Kinnitty man gained valuable experience during his time as trainer with Shannon Rovers in North Tipperary. Prior to this, the team was trained by Pat Donnelly who had to bow out on this occasion.
Balanced Team
One of the strengths of the Killeigh/Raheen team is that they are a balanced and good all round side, pointed out Percy Clendenen. He added that they have outstanding players in the likes of wing forward. Andy Brophy, Billy O'Connell at midfield and Philip Deering between the posts.
Coupled with this they have had a tough path to the final and had their work cut out beating St. Ryangh's in the semi-final. On that occasion, it looked like Banagher would earn a place in the final but Killeigh/Raheen staged a dramatic comeback to grab the laurels.
Critics have claimed that Killeigh/Raheen are ‘slow starters’ and a ‘second half team’ who haven't the mettle needed to beat a side of the calibre of Ballyskenach. Percy Clendennen is aware of the claims but warned that if his charges did not settle down in the first half they would have little chance of beating Ballyskenach.
Team captain Pat Lannigan feels that the team will have “to play out of their skins” if they are to beat Ba1lyskenach. The one thing he doesn’t want to happen on Sunday is for the lads to put in a poor first half display. “We have travelled too far to falter at the last hurdle.” added Pat.
On the way to the final Killeigh/Raheen disposed of Gracefield in the first round and also recorded victories over Birr and Killavilla. They were down to meet Kilcormac/Killoughey in the fourth round but were awarded a walkover.