Newcastle West captain Brian Hurley: 'The west is coming'

NEWCASTLE West captain Brian Hurley produced an inspirational display in last Sunday's premier intermediate hurling final.
Hurley played a key role in setting up crucial scores in Newacstle West's victory over Garryspillane. The midfielder also chipped in with a point from midfield.

“It's unbelievable. There's probably no words but that was one of the hardest matches, I've ever played. It was low scoring, but I'd say it was unbelievable to watch. It's everything a premier intermediate final should be.”

The opening period was cagey, but Newcastle West went in 0-6 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

“We were playing in fits and starts. They were probably happy enough only being two points down and coming into the wind. We just said, ‘there's 30 minutes left in the year, we've worked too hard to leave it behind us,” reflected Brian Hurley.

The victors outscored their opponents 2-6 to 1-6 in the second half. Goals from Diarmuid Kelly and Eoin Hurley were crucial.

“We've loads of good forwards. I think what makes them so good is their work rate. You can score all you want but when the tackles are going in like that, if you can't take a hit or give it a hit, you're not going to get the chances to score. It was all work rate this year and it came out on top.”

Ruadhan O'Connor missed the premier intermediate hurling final decider through injury.

“We were missing Ruadhan there who was probably our best player all year. John Whelan came in and gave an unbelievable game. Our backs drove out with everything. It's just that heart and you can't teach that.”

Hurley believes the Newcastle West management team deserve massive credit in their side getting over the line.

“We've felt every game, we could have improved. He'll kill me for saying this but Chris Sexton, I can't believe how good of a coach is.“Every single training, you just push yourself. Everything this year from day one, we met on January 5 and we trained three times a week every single week. All five or six of them have been at everything.”

West Limerick has been on a rise in terms of hurling in the past year. Croagh-Kilfinny, Feenagh-Kilmeedy and Newcastle West all won county titles last weekend. Adare finished their senior hurling championship on a high and Granagh-Ballingarry performed excellently in the premier intermediate hurling championship.

Reflecting on how well teams from West Limerick had performed in the 2024 championships. Hurley said:

“Everyone says it's (West Limerick) a football stronghold. I think we have to get rid of that stigma in West Limerick. It's getting there, everyone is trying. The Limerick hurlers started out in 2018 and anyone that was 12 or 13 years old at the time is coming on the scene now. It's predominantly hurling in a lot of places now.

I think in another few years, there'll be more up in senior and premier intermediate grade. I don't think we will be having this conversation in a few years. The west is coming.”