Na Fianna aiming to savour their moment in the sun

Even though they started out on their journey early this year the joint-manager of the Na Fianna hurling team, Ger Slevin, says there's “absolutely no problem” in keeping players motivated and focused as they go in quest of provincial glory. Instead, he adds, this is a time for the players to fully express themselves as hurlers and savour the moment.

Na Fianna have already enjoyed a memorable run this year winning the Meath IHC last month before embarking on the Leinster JHC campaign with a 6-14 to 1-10 trouncing of Crookedwood in a quarter-final clash.

Instead of seeking to ease up as the year draws to a conclusion Slevin, who manages the side along with the other joint-manager Brendan Flynn, insists the players remain fully fired-up to do all they can to defeat Wexford side Taghmon Camross in the last four at Trim on Saturday. Lack of motivation is simply not an issue.

“Absolutely not, the big goal was to win the intermediate in Meath. We achieved that and we said to the lads 'we're in the Leinster now, why not throw off the shackles, really express ourselves, there's no pressure on'.
“We have achieved what we set out to do and after winning the intermediate final (they beat Gaeil Colmcille 2-19 to 1-9), every game was a bonus, that's how we have looked at it. I actually think we're playing better now than we did throughout the championship.”

This is, he says, an unprecedented journey for this team and the players are eager to make their mark in what is a huge milestone in the history the club.

“We have no history of playing in Leinster, we've nothing to compare it with, this is all new to us. As you get on in any competition the opposition gets better and better and we know Taghmon Camross are going to be a huge test.”

Last Friday night Na Fianna defeated Ratoath in the u-21 HC semi-final at Dunganny and 11 or 12 of those players will be once again on duty next Saturday for the visit of the Model County side to Trim. In recent years Na Fianna have enjoyed considerable success at minor level, now all the good work at under-age is starting to pay rich dividends.

 Na Fianna have their injury concerns. Goalkeeper Eoin Reilly picked up a nasty eye injury in the game against Crookedwood when the ball pierced his faceguard. Slevin is happy to report that the player is expected to make a full recovery, although he won't be available to play again for some time.

 Another Na Fianna player, Kevin Coffey, broke his collarbone against Crookedwood and he is out of contention for Saturday's showdown. It all means that Na Fianna - who never had the biggest squad of players in the first place - are now down to a small battalion of troops. On a more positive note performers such as Barry Slevin, Ethan Devine and Mark Slevin, who got 3-2 against Crookedwood, are available.

 “Eoin and Kevin are big losses to us, we wouldn't have had a big panel anyway but now we're down to 18 or 19 players. Those lads who are there will give it everything, we know that.”

Slevin is delighted the game is in Trim instead of an arduous trip down to Wexford. Taghmon Camross won the Wexford JHC and in their Leinster Club quarter-final game they easily accounted for Longford side Wolfe Tones, 2-19 to 2-7. 

Some members of the Na Fianna management team watched them in that game and the word is that they have a young, talented outfit, blessed with a potent set of forwards. Any Wexford team is sure to be a huge obstacle. Slevin, Flynn and their troops know that. They are ready and clearly motivated for the challenge.