Foley hoping to claim consolation
While this year may not have been the best in terms of results for Gaeil Colmcille, Mickey Foley’s side find themselves in an IHC B final after some good performances.
They now face a tough task in the final against their neighbours Kilskyre/Moylagh. However, Foley explained to the Meath Chronicle that his side have embraced the competition and are looking forward to the occasion.
“At the start of the year, we aimed for an A final. The way the IHC worked out this year, both groups were very competitive. We were a bit unlucky to miss out on a quarter-final. However, this ’ competition has created an opportunity for an extra couple of games and we have embraced it. We have been a bit unlucky with a few injuries in the last couple of weeks but we are where we are and we are looking forward to the final.”
The current hurling championship format has caused much debate this year, particularly among those who concentrate their focus on the SHC. However, Foley thinks that the current structure has worked well in a competitive IHC.
“The current format is working well in the intermediate. Probably even more so than in the senior where you have a wider quality gap between teams. In each group this year there were probably four, if not five, teams that had realistic chances of progressing. Even on the last day of the group stages, things were still in the melting pot for everyone and that’s a big positive.”
Foley maintains that there won't be much between the two neighbours on the day. The local derby element adds a bit extra to the encounter and Foley and his players are certainly looking forward to the occasion.
“I suppose the final will be very much about who turns up on the day. Across the championship, there hasn’t been much between ourselves and Kilskyre/Moylagh and that’s how the final will likely play out. Little things have swung games throughout this championship. It’s a bit of a novel pairing the fact that the two clubs are so close together and we're very much looking forward to the occasion,” concluded the Gaeil Colmcille man.