Clarinbridge hurling manager Michéal Donoghue is an impressive character.
He does not appear to get ruffled regardless of intense pressure, as evidenced by his coolness in the final few minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final.
He speaks about his panel of players and what lies ahead between now and next Thursday with a quiet passion and belief that is striking.
He is honest, straight, and direct in his observations.
“Preparations have gone well since the semi-final win and we are looking forward to the game and the tough challenge we face. We were there before in 2002 and things did not work out for us. That is well gone now, but hopefully those of us who were involved will have learnt something from the experience. And we are very keen that there will be a different result for us next Thursday.”
The squad’s approach all year has been to keep things simple and that is not going to change this week as the panel head to Dublin next Thursday morning.
Donoghue likes the idea of the players sticking to their usual routine and sleeping in their own beds next Wednesday night. The less fuss and more focus on the job at hand, the better.
“It is only two hours up the road now, so we will go up on the morning of the final. We will be coming back that night too and hopefully we will have the Tommy Moore Cup with us on the return journey.”
No injury worries
Clarinbridge have no major injury worries as of now and the management team is delighted to be able to select their starting 15 from a full deck, with a full complement of subs to come on and make a positive contribution.
“We have a few niggles, but so far so good. Most lads seem to make a fast recovery from knocks when there is a final to be played in. The semi-final was a roller coaster and we were fortunate in many ways to come through it. A lot of lads really stood up and were counted in that game, and we had some terrific performances from guys all over the field.
“Mark and Alan [Kerins] and David Forde played great games but, more than anything, it was a complete team performance and our ferocious will to succeed got us over the winning line. We know we will need more of the same to beat O’Loughlin Gaels who are a very fine side. They have some quality players like the Comerfords and the Dowlings and Brian Hogan. It will be a huge challenge to beat them, but we are up for that challenge.
“We have 28 lads on our panel who all have major contributions to our successes, and we have emphasised that point all season. From Liam [Donoghue] right up to the last player listed on the programme on St Patrick’s Day, they have all played a key role in getting us to the final and we need them all staying focused on the job at hand for the next week.
“We have a tremendous team spirit and work ethic in the team and the older lads are providing outstanding direction and leadership to the younger lads, who are pushing on the older lads too and demanding extremely high standards. It is going really well and the morale is very high in the camp. As a unit we feel we are improving all the time and that’s why we are in the final.
However, he says, there is no point in getting to a final unless Clarinbridge can finish the job.
“We have a hurling match to win and we are separating the match from the occasion. The next seven days are about us being in the right frame of mind to deliver a winning performance. That is all that matters.”
