Donoghue: 'These lads have a good few years ahead of them'

Galway manager speaks ahead of All-Ireland final with Limerick

GALWAY’S third All-Ireland final appearance under Micheál Donoghue - the first of his second stint as manager - has come against the odds with a re-moulded team mixing vast experience with the exuberance of youth.

Ahead of their clash with Limerick at Croke Park, Herald Sport spoke to the Clarinbridge clubman on his side’s progress this campaign, their victory over Cork and both the challenge and opportunity that lies ahead this weekend.

ON HOW FAR HIS TEAM HAS COME IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

It’s been good progress and I think it’s a good point that supporters have to recognise that there’s a nice [age] profile in the squad. This year has gone really well, we’ve won Leinster and had a good win in the semi-final and now we have the opportunity to go for the All-Ireland.

As I said way back, these lads have a good few years ahead of them and it’s not all on now. Sometimes in Galway that happens. Perceptions are out there, and even ye boys [media], there has to be an understanding of where we are and what we’re trying to build and the longevity in that. The young fellas have amassed great experience over the last few weeks. Collectively, we 100 per cent recognise the opportunity that we have and that’s not lost on us. And there will be nothing lost in our preparation to go and have a right cut at it. There’s a great group there and they’ll have the opportunity over the next few years.

ON SO MANY YOUNGER PLAYERS IN THEIR FIRST FINAL

We talked about the transition and the chemistry they have with the more experienced fellas. It’s been really good. They’ve had the experience of playing in the Leinster final and an All-Ireland semi-final with a full house. They’ve that under the belt as they look forward to the final. Hopefully it’ll stand to them.

ON THEM LEANING ON THE MORE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS

Absolutely. They’re the best coaches we have. They’re sharing their experiences with the younger fellas and giving them great guidance. Hopefully that’ll continue for another few weeks.

ON TAKING CONFIDENCE FROM WINNING LEINSTER

It’s huge. We said it that it was very much our number one target this year when we came back to win Leinster. I think it was twofold with the squad that we had. As I said many a time, particular the young fellas, to get them to play in big meaningful games like a Leinster final or an All-Ireland semi-final, and now an All-Ireland final. That’s where they’re going to amass experience. You have some lads that have been through that journey and it hasn’t been that successful for them. Whereas a lot of young fellas have come in and we’re on a good run. Hopefully that will give them more motivation to push on and get better.

ON HOW SUPPORT HAS GROWN FOR A NEW-LOOK TEAM

I think after last year when it didn’t go too well, on our own reflection and our own preparation going into the new season with the transition in the squad, the support was probably intrigued by that to see how it’s going. I think as the season has gone on, it’s built really well.

It’s the same with the hurlers and the footballers, when you have a massive connection with the supporters, it does have a massive impact. I think sometimes the supporters don’t realise that as much as we do. The effect they can have on a game and their support can lift the lads so much. I think the last few weeks, it’s grown, and it’s been evident and it’s been really welcoming. Hopefully it can stay growing.

ON THE SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE DURING THEIR WIN OVER CORK

We can feel it, that’s the thing. When you’re there, you can feel it and the players can feel it. It was a brilliant atmosphere.

ON LIMERICK'S VICTORY OVER CLARE

Every game is different. It was evident that both teams know each so well. Clare probably thought and they were in a great position, but Limerick just showed the team that they are in their character and hurling ability in how they came back into it and got a win. They’ll obviously be delighted with that.

ON JOHN KIELY'S MEN BEING TOP DOGS IN RECENT TIMES

They’ve had a very successful period. They’re the standard-bearers and you just have to be full of admiration for the consistency that they’ve shown, and the hunger and desire is still at the same level. But for us, it’s very much focusing on ourselves and trying to build to a great performance.

ON THE TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE FINAL FROM A TRAINING POINT OF VIEW

Very much recovery mode after the semi-final and we’ll get back onto the pitch. From my perspective, it’s about having a fair few interactions with the players because I think when everyone’s together, it’s better. Obviously, when you win the game, from the lads’ perspective, there’s an excitement to get back to training. That’s what they’re really comfortable with. We’ll just stick to the plan before every game. Nothing changes or alters to it. It’s just about getting back to it.

ON WHETHER HE GETS TO ENJOY THE BUILD-UP

Of course, you can see it around the county and after the semi-final you can feel the atmosphere, and you know what it means to people. I’m sure that excitement will grow. Of course, you’re privy to it but you still have to be focused at the job at hand.

ON THE EXCITEMENT EVEN IN HIS OWN HOME

That’s what’s great about it. You’re living it through their experiences as well which is brilliant. It’s a really good mood and the supporters are getting behind it more. Hopefully we’ve a massive performance ahead.

ON HIS LONG-RUNNING INVOLVEMENT WITH COACHES NOEL LARKIN & FRANNIE FORDE

We probably know each other inside out and upside down. There’s a good chemistry between us and Harty [Aidan Harte], Cyril [Donnellan], Damien Joyce and I think everyone that’s involved. From my perspective, from the S&C and medical, I think it’s the best people that are available. I think the players will be testament to that. Everyone has a role and everyone is playing a massive contribution and no one’s role is bigger than anyone else.

For ourselves, Frannie on the coaching side, he’s a top coach and I think he’s getting better and better and better. We’ve put a lot of work in ourselves in the off-season and the work he’s putting in on the pitch with the lads and the chemistry he has and the trust – going both ways – is really evident. It’s going really well.

ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK TO IMPLEMENT THEIR STYLE OF PLAY

I think for us, after last season, we acknowledged we probably had to go in a different direction. As a management team, we put a lot of work in the off-season. So, by the time we came back for pre-season, we were ready to go. The lads are absolutely top and full of energy and they’re so mad into hurling, it’s massive.