Ferbane captain focused on winning second medal

PLAYING the best football of his career this year, experienced Ferbane defender Kevin Nugent does not want to contemplate another big game loss when they take on Tullamore in Sunday's Senior Football Championship final.

The Ferbane captain admitted that they set an early target of returning to the county final after losing to Tullamore last year. “After last year's county final when we met up in February or March that would have been the goal, to get back to the county final and go one step further than last year.”

Last year's final was a very forgettable game, played in terrible conditions as Tullamore won by 1-5 to 0-6. Nugent recalled:

“It was tough. Once Tullamore got the goal you knew that we were going to have to get a goal as well, it was that type of day where a goal was going to be a massive consideration. The few days after was tough but a lot of us got a good winter and everyone was delighted to get back to it at the start of the year.”

Despite being very much second best on the day, Ferbane almost caught them at the end.

“Jack Clancy had a chance and Corey (White) to be fair made a great save but I don't think it would have done the game justice if we had won, we didn't do enough to win on the day.”

Nugent spoke about some of the tough losses Ferbane have endured since winning the Dowling Cup in 2019.

“The penalties, Tullamore beat us on penalties one year, they were underdogs that year but they were very good and that was where they got their start from, I think that was Niall's (Stack) first year. That was 2020, the Covid year. Tullamore beat us again the year after, they were far the better team that year. The year after Rhode beat us on penalties again. That was probably the toughest one of the lot. Then to get over Rhode last year after extra time that was a good boost but county finals are where you want to be every year.”

What were your thoughts on the format this year with every team making the quarter-finals.

“In the group I don't think it was a major factor, it wasn't as if we were taking it easy in the group. I think the way it fell, we had a few lads injured at the start of year and we didn't start very well. Shamrocks only beat us by a point in the end but going into injury time I think there were five up and we scored 1-2 and then they got a point so I think the scoreline was an injustice on them. It wasn't something we were really talking about, saying we would take it easy in the group as obviously you are going to try and win every game.”

He agreed that Ferbane were much better in the semi-final than first round against Shamrocks but quickly pointed out that they had a different team out both days.

“Well, I suppose we had a good lot of different players as well. We had a few lads back from injury, the likes of David Nally and Oisin weren't playing that day, myself and Cathal (Flynn) I don't think were playing and Joe Maher and Jack Clancy only came on, so that's six fairly strong players and then to be bringing the other six lads on from the bench makes a difference. We were going out to do our best against Shamrocks, that was the mood in the camp anyway.”

Nugent is happy that Ferbane have improved as the year progressed.

“We are probably happy enough. We are peaking at the right time, we are probably playing our best football of the year at the moment and hopefully we will kick it on another level.”

He was also happy with their semi-final form.

“We started off slow and put ourselves on the back foot straight away but between the 15 and 25 minute mark we probably got back into it. The bit of a breeze probably helped in the second half but once we got by – they had a purple patch for 10-15 minutes at the start and we were under the cosh but we steadied the ship and we were happy enough in the end.”

With Belmont losing their early senior hurling games as well, there was a lot of self reflection in the wider camps after Ferbane lost to Shamrocks in the first round.

“It's hard going training with the hurlers up one week and then back down and then back up again for the following Sunday, it's hard to keep track on everything to be fair. Ger (Rafferty, Ferbane manager) and James (Murphy, Belmont boss) were communicating well all year and they made it a bit easier but when things aren't going well for both clubs it's obviously not easy but we steadied the ship and thankfully the hurlers stayed up and we are where we are now.”

It was suggested that Ferbane looked well capable of winning more when they won in 2019 but championships are hard won.

“They are and to be fair Rhode are setting the mark since I came and they are still the team to beat in the championship. Themselves and Tullamore in the last few years, they are the marker so we are trying to rank it with them. As I said earlier, the following year we were beaten on penalties, it was a bit of kick in the gut but you have to stay going, it is the only thing you can do.”

How important is it for the club and the group to get a second one?

“I think it would be massive for the town, not just the club and the committee, everyone is backing us. I think you can see how delighted everyone is after the semi-final, so you just have to knuckle down.”

He was delighted when selected as captain, saying:

“It's a lovely honour but I think we have leaders all over the pitch in every line, the spine of the team. It's a nice honour but I don't think it's the be all and end all, everyone knows they have a job and we have leaders all over the pitch.”

Nugent knows Tullamore inside out.

“They have a great team, Niall has them well set up and they have a great background team as well. They have county players and ex-county players all over the place and everyone knows their job and we're obviously going to be underdogs but we know what we have to do anyway.”

He knows Ferbane will have to do things differently this year but is leaving all that to the management.

“We haven't talked about it too much yet, but Ger (Rafferty) and the lads and Colin (Kenny) will have a plan for us this week and we will stick to that and do what we are told.”