O’Loughlin Gaels travel to Croke Park to take on St Thomas’ in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final (Live on KCLR from 1.30pm this Sunday).
It has been a remarkable first season in charge for manager Brian Hogan who has led the city club to a first county title in seven years and a Leinster championship victory.
They are one game away from completing the set and in an exclusive interview with KCLR (that you can hear from 4pm this Saturday), Hogan outlined how preparations are going ahead of the decider.
“Most of the heavy lifting is done and now it’s just about making sure lads are as fresh as possible for Sunday.
“We’ll have light sessions on Wednesday and Friday and a meeting. This week is all about preparing mentally.”
The former Kilkenny player spoke about how the narrow victories during this year’s campaign affect the team in the build-up to this Sunday, and the importance of leadership in games with such significance.
“We were looking for composure and bravery that a lad has the confidence to step up and look for the ball.
“Coming on the home stretch as we’ve done all year, retaining that composure in the last few minutes when everyone else around you is losing their heads.
“Leadership comes in different styles. They don’t have to be the most vocal, some of those guys are quiet in some respects but are still massive leaders in the group.”
Brian Hogan is in his first year in charge of the O’Loughlin Gaels hurling team.
He told us about how he does his job.
“It’s our role as a management team to try and pick the best 15 players on any given day. You can only really base that on what you see in training.”
Hogan mentioned experienced players and their importance on the team.
He also alluded to how they provide stability for the team and that the competition from younger players trying to make it into the team is very strong.
The O’Loughlin’s boss said it helps the older members of the panel play better as the younger players threaten their position on the team.
“You have to have that competition in the club if you’re seriously going to compete and challenge in anything. You have to have a panel and we had 34 boys this year.”
Hogan touched on the successful year for Kilkenny hurling.
He told us about the rivalries dissipating between clubs after the county final and emphasised how helpful the support from the whole county of Kilkenny is.
“It’s given Kilkenny hurling a huge shot in the arm, starting with the Dicksbro ladies, then to drive it on after Christmas with Tullogher and Thomastown being successful comfortably.
“They would have been favourites going into it, but they held that tag comfortably.
“There’s a huge rivalry between clubs in Kilkenny, but there’s a big level of respect there. It’s been fantastic to see over a number of months, this support from across the county. It’s an indication of this respect between clubs.”
Hogan looks forward to the challenge on Sunday.
He says he’s proud of his team and player excitement is huge.
“It will be a serious challenge. That’s the way it should be in an All-Ireland final.
“It’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to, there’s a massive buzz around the club, we can’t wait.
“The prize is up for grabs now. It has been a fantastic year for us and I’m proud of the lads and how they applied themselves.”
Will O’Loughlin Gaels make it a triple for Kilkenny GAA in their national campaign across the levels, or will Galway’s St Thomas’ cause an upset for the county?
Find out this weekend with live coverage of the game at 1.30pm on KCLR.
With reporting from Scoreline’s Donagh Maher.
