At a recent training session at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, ahead of Saturday’s Lory Meagher Cup Final, Tony Ghee spoke with the Longford Vice Captain, Cathal Mullane.
The Limerick man played for his native county at underage level and also played for the Limerick Senior team in both the National League and the Munster Championship. He has been living in Edgeworthstown since 2013, and has been playing for the Longford County team since 2014.
The interview begins with Cathal looking ahead to Saturday’s big match and the role he played in the 2014 Lory Meagher triumph.
Tony: ‘ Cathal, it will be a great occasion on Saturday and you have experienced it before. You are one of six players of the current squad who played in the 2014 Final victory. Karl Murray, Johnny Casey, Joe O’Brien, Cian Kavanagh and Eoin Donnellan are the other five. So there are several players who know what it’s like to taste All Ireland glory and it would be fantastic to win another one.’
Cathal: ‘Yes, it would be unbelievable for us to get another Lory Meagher Championship. As you said. It’s eight years ago since we were last there. It’s a big day for us all to get to a final at Croke Park. It’s a big day for our families and for our clubs. We are just hoping that things go our way and we come out on top.’
Tony: ‘ Back in the 2014 final, you scored three points.’
Cathal: ‘Yes, that’s true. It was another one of those high scoring games. There were lots of goals and lots of points, and we were lucky to come out on top on the day. I think we won by either a point or two points against Fermanagh. Anything we can do to contribute to the team and get over the line again on Saturday, that’s what we are all here for.’
Tony: ‘You have been in good scoring form in this championship. The goal you scored away to Monaghan in Inniskeen in that two point victory, it was an opportunistic goal that proved crucial and pivotal in that win.’
Cathal: ‘It’s a team effort and I just happened to score the goal that day. It doesn’t matter who is at the end of the ball and gets the score, as long as we get enough scores to win the game. We are working extremely hard to move the ball up the field to our inside line, and whoever gets the ball in the right position, it is their responsibility to register the score.’
Tony: ‘ while the team has been getting plenty of points this year, the team have not been scoring as many goals as they would like.’
Cathal: ‘ It’s been like that in a lot of games. We are scoring lots of points but not getting the goal scoring chances. Different teams are sitting back, putting an extra man there and maybe making us shoot from further out the field. However, if we get enough points, then we don’t need to score goals.”
Tony: ‘There is a new management team in place this year with Adrian Moran at the helm. Adrian has brought in an excellent backroom team that includes one of Longford’s all time greats, Eoin Donnellan. Eoin is also sub keeper and he has played in three Lory Meagher Cup Finals including the 2010 and 2014 successes, so he brings a lot to the table.’
Cathal: ‘Eoin is a living legend of Longford hurling. He’s had a long and successful career at inter-county level for Longford and it’s great to have someone like him involved with us this year. His experience, knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm is a major plus. He’s a Longford man through and through and it’s great to have him with us.’
Tony: ‘ Finally, what’s your message to the Longford GAA supporters ahead of Saturday’s Final?’
Cathal: ‘ Hopefully, we will get a good turnout and great support at Croke Park. For a small county with a small population, the support has been immense. Hopefully, we can drive it home and get over the line against Louth.’