Ahead of Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B clash between Lancashire and Longford in Abbotstown on Sunday, Tony Ghee spoke with the Longford Senior Hurling manager, Adrian Moran.
Tony: ‘ Adrian, looking back on the narrow two point loss to Fermanagh, the second half display almost produced a positive result after a very poor first half performance.’
Adrian: ‘Yes it almost did, but we had too much to do to overhaul the eight point half-time deficit. We were not happy at all with our first-half performance against Fermanagh. Having said that, it was our first proper competitive match as a group and we are still learning. Definitely, very happy with the second-half showing, we dug in and kept them scoreless in the second-half.’
Tony: ‘ I know that you had to look back at the negatives from the contest from a Longford perspective, but there were so many positives in the second period from the back-line to the forwards, that maybe it would be better to focus on the Strong aspects ahead of the Lancashire game.’
Adrian: ‘ A mixture of both really. You always have to highlight the negative aspects and show how to improve on those areas, but yes what unfolded in the second-half was very encouraging and puts us in a good frame of mind for our second league match.’
Tony: ‘The introduction of half-time subs, Cathal Mullane and Adam Quinn had a galvanising impact on the team, and added impetus. Cathal was also to the fore with a couple of attacking plays that almost produced goals, but a combination of lucky deflections and resolute Fermanagh defending kept their net intact.’
Adrian: ‘It was very heavy going out there and we probably just were not clinical enough up front, and our passing lacked accuracy at times. We introduced three more lads into the contest and it’s all about the panel and what we can get out of each individual squad member.’
Tony: ‘You have Enda Naughton to come back into the panel for Sunday’s game and that will be a boost for the squad.’
Adrian: ‘Yes, Enda missed the Fermanagh game due to a suspension he had to serve from last season, so he will definitely come into the reckoning.’
Tony: ‘ Lancashire bounced back from their opening heavy loss to Leitrim with an impressive and comfortable eleven point win over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park, so they will be buoyed by that.’
Adrian: ‘They certainly will, but every game is different and we are more than capable of getting a win on Sunday. We have a full squad to choose from with no injury concerns, so that is always a big help.’
Adrian concluded the interview by wishing Longford hurling stalwart, Niall Ward, a speedy recovery from a recent illness.
‘Niall has been heavily involved in Longford hurling over the years, and has done trojan work at club level with Longford Slashers. I have known him for about fifteen years and he has always been brilliant to deal with. We all wish Niall a speedy recovery from his recent set-back and just like the Longford Hurlers, he is driving forward and looking to the future.’