McDaid wary of unknown Father Murphy’s challenge

By Shaun Casey

BALLINASCREEN boss Cathal McDaid admits he knows “very little” about his side’s London opponents in Saturday’s Ulster Hurling Junior Club Championship Twinning final against Father Murphy’s.

McDaid hurled in London a bit himself during his playing days and is well aware of the mindset the players across the way will bring with them. He still has a few London contacts as well that will keep him up to date.

But the Oakleaf representatives will take the opportunity to focus on themselves and with the celebrations of their recent Ulster triumph now behind them, McDaid and his men are looking forward to the next challenge.

“We know very little about them to be honest,” said McDaid.

“We’ve seen the video against Fulham Gaels that’s really all we have to go by. We watched them and they have some decent players.

“I hurled over there myself for a couple of years, so I know what it’s like. It’s hard to get the same team out two weeks in a row with lads have been home for weddings and funerals and one thing and another.

“ You don’t know what you’re going to be playing against really.

“I talked to one of the lads I hurled with over there and he says once the London’s get across the water, they’ve nothing to lose.

“You can only do as much homework as you can on them. You see what you can dig out of videos and take it from there.

“In our other games, you knew who you were facing. We saw plenty of East Cavan Gaels and Ballela and we were focusing on their stronger players but this time around, we’re focusing on our own game more so because we know so little about the opposition.”

On winning Ulster, where they beat East Cavan Gaels by 10 points in the final, McDaid added:

“We had a good time; we enjoyed the Sunday night, and we were back on the Wednesday night and trained hard and the lads settled in well.

“There’s a good wee buzz about and the lads are enjoying it. When you’re enjoying it, it’s easy.

“It’s easier going out and knuckling down and getting the hard work done when you’re enjoying the whole thing.”

Ballinascreen did pick up two concerning injuries in that provincial decider, with defenders Ryan Scullion and Ciaran McBride having to leave the field in the latter stages of the contest.

McDaid isn’t quite sure if the two will be fit to play this weekend but has full belief that whoever comes into their places will find their feet quickly.

“We’re just playing it by year at the moment because the lads have been in rehab since and receiving treatment and one thing or another.

“We’re in a very lucky situation where we have a very strong bench. So, it’s an opportunity for somebody else, if come Sunday, the lads aren’t fit, it’s an opportunity for somebody else.”