It is still difficult to escape the gnawing feeling that the tail end of November is no time to be having your showcase game of the year.
There have been many extenuating circumstances and, to be fair to the county hurling board, there have been draws in the semi-final and final which have held things up considerably. Being flooded out last Sunday did not help their cause either.
But surely the key people in Galway and the club delegates will have to consider considerably reducing the close season that occurs during the summer.
Having not seen the Liam McCarthy Cup in the county since 1988 should make people wonder and question if the current approach to fixture-making is the right one.
Surely competitive club hurling during August, running in tandem with the county senior squad if they are still involved, should be the way forward.
That is a debate for another day, but it surely merits some thought and discussion.
All eyes on Kenny Park
For now though, all eyes are on Kenny Park next Sunday at 1.45pm when Loughrea and Clarinbridge meet in the re-scheduled county final replay.
Despite the tardiness of the fixture, both clubs will be raring to go.
The Town have lost three finals in the last seven years and come hell or high water, they don’t want another second best prize.
They have a few powerful men from Damien McClearn at full-back, Vinny Maher, Gavin Keary and big Johnny Maher at centre-forward and they will take a lot of stopping.
They can play it anyway you want it and as they proved when defeating Portumna after a replay, they are well able to learn as they go along and will feel that they can improve on their performance the first day.
Youngsters like Paul Hoban, Neil Keary and Johnny Coen have been a revelation and have played key roles already this season.
Joe Sweeney will be telling that trio to produce one more really big performance on Sunday and they’ll have a senior medal in their pocket.
Clarinbridge have not been in a final since 2001 and that freshness and eagerness will make them dangerous opponents. The mood is very positive in their camp and it will be interesting to see how they have dealt with the three weeks since the drawn game.
One man who cannot wait for the throw-in is their sociable goalkeeper Liam Donoghue.
As a sales rep with the Clada Group, Liam gets to talk plenty of hurling, but he is still retains his enthusiasm with ease.
“We are very positive and having not been in a county final for nine years, we are keen to make the most of the opportunity.
“We know we are up against a top side and Loughrea have been, along with Portumna, the most consistent squad in the county for the past 10 years. We were fortunate to get a late free the last day to draw it and now we have to capitalise on that luck.”
Donoghue admits the season has gone late for both clubs, but he is not one for negativity.
“We would play the final in the Park in Ballinasloe if needs be. We are really looking forward to the game and we believe we have the panel of players to do the job.”
The former Galway star is wholesome in his praise for the entire Clarinbridge panel and their endeavour all season.
“We have worked really hard all year to get to this stage and we have a terrific panel. There are some very fine players to come in and have a big influence if needed on Sunday. Guys like Ronan Geraghty, Alan Armstrong, Peter Burke and Kevin Conlon to name just a few. You don’t win county finals with the bare fifteen and if we are to win on Sunday, we will almost certainly need lads to come off the bench and make a real difference.
“I don’t expect there to be much between the teams, but we are hopeful of getting out on the right side of the result.”
