Laois SHC final: Rathdowney-Errill's Enda Meagher calls for ‘full hour' performance against Clough-Ballacolla

As Rathdowney-Errill manager Enda Meagher prepares his team for the Laois Senior Hurling Championship final against Clough-Ballacolla, he reflects on the journey that has led them to this moment.

Keep an eye on the Leinster Express/ Laois Live website and social medias across the week as we bring you interviews from the players competing in the SHC and PIHC County finals.

After four consecutive years of disappointment in the semi-finals, Meagher is proud of his players for finally breaking through. “I’d definitely say the monkey off our back is right,” he said. “There was probably a lot of pressure on the players coming after it, and nobody wants to be branded as a semi-final team. In fairness to the lads, the hurt from the last couple of years kind of got them over the line. They didn’t exactly pawn too much on it. They just wanted to get to the final so much that they actually just kept saying to themselves that the belief in the club was high. We just said that we’re too good of a team not to be in the final more often. That was the biggest thing for us.”

Meagher praised the contributions of seasoned players like Shane Dollard, Jimmy Corrigan, Joe Fitz, and John Purcell, who have been instrumental in guiding the team through this challenging season. “They’re training and they’re bursting themselves every night in training to make sure if they’re not going to be a part of it, they’re going to make sure everybody else is prepared. That’s what that experience does.”

He also highlighted the determination of their county players like Paddy Purcell, Roddy King, and Liam O’Connell, who understand the urgency of seizing their moment. “You think that them lads want it more than ever because they realise that the group is pushing on a little bit, and there’s a small bit of transition happening but the backbone of the team from 2019 is still there. Those lads don’t change, their attitude doesn’t change, they’re true professionals to be honest and they give it every night in training and they give it the best they can when they’re called on in a match as well, in fairness to them.”

Reflecting on their Round 2 match against Portlaoise, which ended in a draw, Meagher noted the challenges they faced. “To be honest, the Portlaoise game was a surprise for a lot of people, but it wasn’t a surprise for myself because I know the calibre of lads that are over Portlaoise. Tommy Fitz wasn’t going to let any team just come out and stroll around the park; he was going to drive them on to the best of it.” Despite falling behind during the match, Meagher was pleased with his team's resilience. “The biggest thing we could take from the Portlaoise game was when we did go behind, we showed great character to bring it back.”

Looking ahead to the final, Meagher is well aware of the quality that Clough-Ballacolla brings to the field. “Clough-Ballacolla, they’re probably the top team in Laois, especially the last couple of years,” he acknowledged. “Where do I think it’ll be won? I think we need a big performance. We’re putting big performances in, we’re putting 15 minutes in, 20 minutes in, but the old cliché has to be for the hour. It’ll just come down to whoever wants it the most.” 

He anticipates an exciting clash, noting the significance of the local derby aspect. “I know we’re looking forward to it, and I’m sure Clough-Ballacolla are looking forward to it. As you know yourself, finals, everything has to go right on the day and everything has to click. You see that down through the years; sometimes it doesn’t happen for teams in the final, but if it doesn’t happen, unfortunately, you don’t win, and that’s it. We just have to make sure we have everything that we can do.”

Meagher also emphasised the importance of guiding newcomers who may be feeling the nerves of playing in a county final for the first time with Meagher having won four Senior Hurling titles as a player and was a selector in 2019, the last time that Rathdowney-Errill won the championship.

“The only thing I keep saying to them is look, it’s going to happen,” he advised. “It’s a great thing to be in the final, and whatever nerves you have earlier on in the week, just accept it and roll with it. It’s going to happen in two weeks’ time, so just prepare yourself the best you can mentally and just believe in yourself. That’s basically what I’m telling the guys the whole year: to believe in your own ability. If it’s in you, it will come out of you.”