With a massive weekend of Sport ahead, it’s important not to forget that Nurney Villa are just 90 minutes (perhaps a little bit more if there’s extra time) away from doing what many people would feel is the unthinkable.
Last year the small rural Carlow club went on a Hollywood movie like journey and won the Leinster Youth’s Cup, beating both St Kevin’s under 18’s and under 17’s in the Semi Final and Final.
You’d see films on Netflix for much lesser stories than that!
And here they are 12 months later in another final as the reigning Champions which is absolutely incredible.
In the semi final a couple of weeks back they faced a Freebooters side who had scarcely ever lost a game in Kilkenny the whole way up along.
Freebooters led 1-0 at half time, but Nurney simply wouldn’t take no for an answer in the second half and when Cormac Lomax brought them back level they simply upped the ante.
Further goals from Padraig Hynes and another Lomax goal from the penalty spot meant that they were back in another final after winning 3-1.
A lot of this Nurney Villa side have gotten very used to winning since they were kids at Community Games and many have won titles with Fenagh and Ballinkillen in Football and Hurling.
This never say die attitude is infectious among all of the players and this years panel are back to defend their title with great confidence.
Home Farm are very similar to St Kevin’s in that they have produced incredible players down through the years, and although they have undoubted talent, it will be interesting to see if they can match the hunger, work rate and positive attitude of these Nurney Villa players who can all play ball too.
The action kicks off at 2pm in Portlaoise Saturday and we will have updates of the game on Scoreline from 2 o clock onwards.
