Louth GAA club | Moninne set for Fechins SHL clash

Naomh Moninne will face familiar rivals St. Fechins in the Louth Senior Hurling League final at PPFS Darver this Thursday evening at 7.45pm.

Both sides arrive at the decider on equal footing, having won one game and lost one in the group stage, but it is Moninne who edged top spot with a slender point difference advantage.

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The group couldn’t have been tighter as St. Fechins pipped the Toberona side by a single point in the opening round (0-15 to 0-14), before Knockbridge shocked the Fechins in round two.

That set up a dramatic final round, where Moninne showed courage to defeat Knockbridge (0-22 to 1-17) and seal their passage to the final.

Now, with just one more hurdle to clear, manager Aidan Carter is preparing his side for another clash with the Fechins and one that promises to be as finely balanced as the last.

On preparations for the big night, Carter admits his squad has had to juggle plenty in recent weeks.

He told the Democrat, “Training has been going ok. We have a few small injuries, but hopefully nothing major. Football championship has had a disruption to our preparations as we have eight lads away with their clubs.”

However, the camp remains upbeat following their county championship triumph earlier in the summer.

“The mood is good. Obviously, with winning the championship it lifts everybody. So from that point it's good. It can be difficult to keep the lad's head focused on the task at hand as there is a lot going on.

“Lads back at college, football championship, injuries and holidays. With that said, it's a final and lads get their heads right fairly quickly.”

Carter is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge awaiting his side.

“The Feichins are a class act, and with Ray at the helm, they will be well prepared for the final. They have some exceptional players and have that experience of winning.

“We played them two weeks after the championship final, and they brought us back down to earth with a bang. They showed their capabilities and beat us by one point.

“They were missing lads from the previous match and still produced what was needed to win. So it's going to be a tough match.

“Again, we have had good battles, and we have shown that we can grind out a result, too. So hopefully it will be a good game of hurling.”

The Moninne boss believes previous victories will offer a psychological boost, but insists there is no room for complacency.

“It will give the lads confidence and belief. The Fechins, like I said, are a hell of a team, and you have to be at your level best and more if you have any chance of beating them. You take every game as a final and prepare well.

“So we won't be taking the fact that we beat them in the championship final as anything other than that. It will have an extra incentive for them, I'd imagine.”

As for what silverware would mean to the squad, and the supporters, Carter spoke with pride about the effort and commitment across the club.

“Obviously, winning any final means a lot. The work that goes on throughout the year is full on, and a lot of commitment is given by players, coaches, committees and families. So if you are lucky enough to pick up a cup during that year, it's special.

“It makes it all worthwhile. So yes, it would mean a lot to all. For me personally, it would mean a great deal as I have seen the work and the efforts of the lads.

“I have seen how much they have come together as a strong group of lads and improved as the year progressed. As a club, this year has been special, bringing the senior championship back to Toberona for the first time.

“There's been a massive amount of work done in the club over the last number of years to get the pitches up and ready for playing on. It would be extra special having two cups there come Thursday evening.”

Both Moninne and Fechins have shown this season that there is little to separate them and Thursday night’s final promises another epic battle. The referee in charge on the night will be Patrick Collins