The Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B got underway last weekend with Leitrim beating Lancashire 4-16 to 2-08 and Fermanagh defeating Cavan 1-20 to 0-13.
Longford had a bye last weekend but are in action this Sunday, as they host Fermanagh in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park at 2pm.
Ahead of Sunday’s encounter, Tony Ghee spoke with this year’s Longford Captain, Johnny Casey. Johnny started the interview by stating that it is a huge honour to be Captain of the County team.
Johnny: ‘It is a massive honour for myself, my family, and my club, Longford Slashers. As a child growing up, I always dreamed of playing for Longford in both football and hurling. I have achieved that ambition in hurling and now to be Captain of my County team is absolutely amazing. It is a big honour and I am delighted.’
Tony: ‘ You have also been Captain of your club, Longford Slashers, back in 2020, so you know what it is like to captain a team.’
Johnny: ‘Yes, I was Captain of Slashers a couple of years ago and that was a privilege, but unfortunately, we were beaten in the County Final. However, last year with Cian Kavanagh as skipper, we won the County Senior title for the first time in twenty years and that was special. Captaining the County team is also very special.’
Tony: ‘As Captain, you have extra roles, outline the extra responsibilities that the position brings over and above just being a normal member of the squad.’
Johnny: ‘I don’t see it as a burden as we have a lot of leaders on the team such as Joe O’Brien who has been Captain several times before, so that takes the pressure off the role. The responsibilities include acting as a liason between the players and the management. I would speak to the management about playing conditions, performance standards, and standards of excellence. I have a motivational role to try and encourage the players and gee them up, but as you know Tony, I have always been like that. I talk to the players one-to-one and give them my support. I am also the GPA Rep, and that involves looking at benefitting the players off the field, not just on the field.’
Tony: ‘Sundays’ opponents are Fermanagh. They won the Lory Meagher Cup last year and enroute to being crowned champions, they beat Longford by eight points at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in the Semi-final. A lot of this year’s squad played in that defeat, so Sunday provides an opportunity for the team to set the record straight.’
Johnny: ‘Absolutely, that defeat is in the back of our minds. Our goal last year was to make the Croke Park Final, but it wasn’t to be. Fermanagh were by far the better team on the day and we just didn’t play to our potential. This year is a new season and we are looking at this game as a fresh start. We want to hit the ground running and win on Sunday.’
Tony: ‘ Losing to Monaghan in the last league match last season resulted in relegation from Division 3A, but this team have the talent to go straight back-up at the first time of asking.’
Johnny: ‘ For sure, we are training hard to win Division 3B and we just want to win all our matches. We know we are capable of competing with the Division 3A teams like Tyrone, Armagh and Monaghan, so we are very eager to get back up to that level.’
Tony: ‘There are five teams in the division this year with a slightly different format. The first placed team after the league stage qualifies automatically for the final. The second and third placed teams then play-off for the other place in the final. So, a top three finish is the main aim ‘
Johnny: ‘No, our aim is to top the league standings and to avoid the play-off route to the final. We will just focus on each opponent separately that we are due to play against that particular match week. I have to mention the injection of youth into the squad. They have added serious energy to our training sessions and matches. The way they hook and block has helped everyone else to up their performance levels, and that is a massive plus.’
Tony: ‘ The management have given every squad member game time in the several challenge matches and the Kehoe Shield games, so that has helped them to formulate their plans for Sunday.’
Johnny: ‘ It will be a hard decision for the management team when it comes to the starting fifteen. There are warriors on this team and thirty lads who have ambitions to to start Sundays’ match. Some of course will be disappointed. It’s not just about the starting fifteen. The five or six substitutes coming off the bench will also be important, and trust me, they will inject serious impetus into the team and put down their own marker.’
We will continue our build-up tomorrow with an interview with manager, Adrian Moran.