Longford senior hurling manager Adrian Moran hoping for success

Manager Adrian Moran has remained on for a second season in charge. Micheál Lawler has stepped down due to work commitments and he has been replaced by Frank Aughey on the management team. Alan Wade is back in the set-up as the new kitman while other mentors Eoin Donnellan, Clive Beattie, James Flynn and Dave Kenny have all committed to a second season.

Last year, Longford reached  the National League Division 3B Final and the Lory Meagher Championship Final, only to lose both, and the hope this season would be to win at least one of those trophies to make up for last years’ heartache.

At a recent training session, Tony Ghee spoke with Adrian Moran about the season ahead, and Tony began by suggesting to the county senior hurling manager that 2022 was a successful season for Longford reaching two national finals, despite the defeats. 

Adrian: “We definitely made good ground after coming in last year, but successful, I wouldn’t use the word successful, as success comes when you win. However, we are happy enough with the way things went last year reaching those two national finals, but we will be hoping to push on stronger this year and actually win something.”

Tony: “Of those two finals, the league final was the one that got away, as Fermanagh only sealed the victory deep into stoppage time with that late goal. The Lory Meagher Final defeat to Louth at Croke Park was a very disappointing performance and outcome.”

Adrian: “The League Final defeat was disappointing from a game management perspective in the last few minutes when we didn’t hold on to the ball. At Croke Park, we were missing our captain, Johnny Casey, and John Mulhern went into that match carrying a long-term injury and didn’t last, and we had some other players who were not fully fit.

“We got off to a fantastic start with the early goal, but getting an early goal does not guarantee anything, and we struggled throughout the whole game and we struggled with the pace. Also, Louth’s strength in depth with the introduction of several vastly experienced players also made a difference on the day.”

Tony: “Looking ahead to the new season, there are some players departing the panel through injury and retirement, while new players have been introduced to the squad. Also, Micheál Lawler has stepped down and he has been replaced by Frank Aughey. Alan Wade, who was involved in the Longford management team under Derek Frehill, is back and he is the new kitman.”

Adrian: “Yes Micheál took up a new position in his job and is unable to stay on board, but he brought great things to Longford hurling, and we wish him well in his new role at work.

“Frank is another man who I have worked with in Westmeath over the years with underage panels and Westmeath panels, and he brings a vast amount of experience with him.

“He has won county titles with St Loman’s and Clonkill, and he has really gelled with the players, and we are all looking forward to working with him. Alan Wade has been involved with the county team before and he is a great addition to our set-up and has fitted in really well with everyone.”

Tony: “Pat Burke, Charles Flynn, and Emmet Allen, the grandson of the legendary Clonguish and Longford GAA stalwart Bertie Allen, have all joined the squad  for the new season.”

Adrian: “Yes, we have definitely lost a few good players from last season, but we are still hopeful that some will come back. We had to look outside the box and that is what we have done with players from outside the county with parents from Longford. 

“From a Longford perspective, we were disappointed with the response that we got from the clubs. We contacted forty-seven players and for various reasons, a lot of them could not commit. We will end up with just nineteen or twenty players from the Longford clubs and that will leave our panel very tight. 

“Hopefully, luck will be on our side with injuries. Everyone who is in the panel has put in a huge effort in pre-season, and they have been brilliant.

“There is a lot of groundwork to be done on the ground with the clubs, but the County Board have been very supportive with us and everything we have been trying to do since we came in last year.”

Tony: “Finally Adrian, first up in the league is a home game against Cavan on Saturday at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.”

Adrian: ‘Yes, and we are looking forward to it. We have played against New York in the Connacht League and a challenge game against Mayo in preparation for the National League. 

“Cavan have the manager back that got them to a Croke Park Final a couple of years ago, so they will be really hungry for success and we will be up against it. Our wins over them last year will have no bearing on what will be a tough encounter for us on Saturday.”