Emmetts looking to stop Lisbellaw five in a row bid

Editorial Department • Published 26 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Lisbellaw St Patrick’s celebrate after winning the Fermanagh Senior Hurling Final last year.

Fermanagh Senior Hurling Championship Final

This Sunday afternoon Lisbellaw will bid to make it five-in-a-row as they line out against Lisnakea in the Senior Hurling Championship Final. In last year’s decider Lisbellaw recorded a comfortable win over the Emmett’s on a score line of 3-14 to 0-15.

This time around Lisnaskea Joint Manager Mick Shine is hoping that his team, boosted by a number of players returning to the squad, can defeat the odds and take the title.

“We’re far stronger than last year. We’ve got the likes of the McManus brothers back, Feargal Shannon, Brian Curran and Colm McManus. It’s a more mature team. Basically last year we fielded a minor team,” says Mick.

Lisnaskea are unbeaten in Division Two of the Armagh league this year and have shown well against teams of the calibre of Naomh Colum Cille, who were last year’s Junior All Ireland Champions. Lisbellaw have secured a mid table position in Division One of the Armagh league. Despite a loss to Keady in their last game, Joint Manager Seamus McCusker is happy with how his side have been performing.

“We’ve had a couple of tough weeks in the Armagh league, we’ve played nine matches in the last six weeks and whilst we got well beaten in our last game (against Keady) we scored 0-15 away from home. We were disappointed with the result but we were happy enough with the performance.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s decider Seamus says: “We’d like to succeed in making it five-in-a-row. There will be no favourites when the whistle blows. We’re confident going into the game and we know we’re capable of winning but there’s never much in it when we play each other in the championship. Sunday will either be the end of the season or the start of something new. We’ll not be taking them (Lisnaskea) for granted, if we don’t put in the performance we’ll not be taking any crown,” he warns.

Lisbellaw will be hoping that their goalkeeper, Peter McEvoy will be fully fit for Sunday. A decision will be made at training on his fitness. If he fails to make it for Sunday, Lisbellaw are in the enviable position of calling upon County Minor and U-21 keeper Dwayne McPhillips.

There is a good blend of youth and experience on the Lisbellaw team. Players like Fergus Bannon and Karl Keogh have numerous medals to their name and will be looked to, to lead their team to another county title. Team Captain, Mark Slevin featured in the second half of the game against Keady, after returning from four weeks out of the game, through injury. His presence on the field will be all important. Younger players like John Paul McGarry, Ryan Bogue and John Duffy all featured in the All Ireland Under-21 B Championship final against Kerry last weekend. They will be key to their team’s success.

Lisnaskea have two slight injury worries to Paul Teague and Adrian Smith but it is expected both will be fit for Sunday. Much will be expected from Paul, Jason and Denis McManus as well as from Barry Smyth on the half forward line and Francis McBrien in midfield if they are going to counteract the Lisbellaw threat.

Mick Shine believes it will be another close game between these two sides: “I’d expect it to be close, maybe three or four points either way. If everyone plays to their potential we have a chance,” he concludes.

Senior Hurling Championship Final

Lisbellaw v Lisnaskea

Sunday, 2pm

Brewster Park

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Aug 10

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