Na Fianna motivated for big game

Defeated by Navan O'Mahonys in last year's IHC final after a replay, Na Fianna will not lack for motivation ahead of Saturday's showdown with Gaeil Colmcille according to JIMMY GEOGHEGAN'S research.

Ger Slevin, who manages the team along with Brendan Flynn, says the players will be fired up to put things right this time around - and he's hoping the experiences of the past disappointments can help provide a platform for victory. 
"This is mainly a young team at least when it comes to the age profile, but the players have plenty of experience and hopefully that will stand to them in the final," he says.
Slevin, however, also strikes a cautious note. He's fully aware past setbacks are no guarantee a team will sparkle on the big day.
"Last year's defeat will spur us on a bit, but on the day you have to perform and get over the line, you have to stay focused, we can learn from the past, but this is another year, a different game."
Both Slevin and Flynn have, in recent years, focused, with others, on helping to prepare the club's minor team - and they have enjoyed considerable success.
Last year the Na Fianna youngsters won a second MHC crown in three years.
"We have been very lucky to work with a great bunch of lads and very dedicated parents who brought the players to training and games no matter where the game was," he explaied. 
Coaching, believes Slevin, is about helping players maximise the talents they have.
"You basicially coach them to take advantage of what they have and make sure to bring them on in terms of working on the weaker aspects of their game. You have to minimise their weaknesses and promote their strengths, that's what we aim to do."
Some of the players Slevin and Flynn have worked with at under-age in the past have now graduated onto the intermediate panel and are pushing hard to stake a place on the starting 15. 
This year Na Fianna struggled in the league finishing bottom of the A HL Div 1 but, says Slevin, at least they had the experience of playing against the top sides in the county. 
In the championship Na Fianna chalked up some notable victories including a 0-15 to 0-13 victory over Gaeil Colmcille, a result that Slevin is not putting much store by.
"It will have no bearing, a final is about what happens on the day. The work will be done, but a final is a special occasion. They, no doubt, have improved and hopefully so have we."
Like Gaeil Colmcille, Na Fianna's championship run was affected by the reality that Na Fianna had a team participating in the SFC. Once the footballers were knocked out the hurlers could step into the spotlight. 
The Slevin clan is well represented on the Na Fianna panel with Barry, Mark, Peter and Stephen all included.
Regarded as one of the most talented players in the county for years Barry Slevin will, no doubt, preoccupy the thoughts of Gaeil Colmcille ahead of the final. 
However, Ger Slevin insists Na Fianna have enough talented players such as Jonathan McCloskey, Diarmuid Bailey and Evan Mullally - to believe they can win.
He's just taking nothing for granted. 
Hard experience has taught Slevin and Na Fianna that on the big day nothing is guaranteed.