PÁDRAIG DOYLE
AS the Wicklow under-21 hurlers put their final preparations together to go into battle with Kerry in the All-Ireland final in Thurles this Saturday at 1pm, captain and Bray Emmets star Pádraig Doyle is confident that the team has what it takes to come through and collect the prestigious trophy.
Doyle was a key member of the starting line up two years ago when Wicklow beat Meath in the same venue and first won the cup and the Bray man feels that the class of 2017 has what it takes to repeat the feat of two years ago.
“As a player this is where you want to be and the matches that you dream to play in so it’s a really exciting game to be heading into as a squad,” he said.
“A few of us would have the experience of playing in Thurles and winning the All-Ireland two years ago so hopefully that will stand to us but we also know that Kerry are a top side and we’ll have to bring out our best performance on Saturday to overcome them.
“We also have a lot of younger guys coming through who are hungry for success and I think that has helped push us along this year and get us in this position. Like two years ago we have a massive panel and the competition for places is fierce so everyone is kept on their toes and knows that they have to keep producing and improving in every match and training to keep your place on the starting 15 or the named match day panel.
“Unfortunately only 24 to 26 lads can be named on the match day panel but it has taken a squad effort far bigger than that to get us here so everyone has really played their part. Hopefully the starting 15 and whoever comes on can do those lads not playing justice and give in a big performance and hopefully bring the cup back to Wicklow.”
2017 has been a good year for Wicklow hurling both at senior and under 21 level and Doyle said that the atmosphere and intensity brought to training and games has been brilliant and really helped the team get into a position where they are just 60 minutes away from an All-Ireland crown.
“Like two years ago we only train once a week but the intensity in those trainings is very high because everyone knows that they have to keep performing or else someone will step in and take their place. Séamus and Michael are always keeping us on our toes and making sure that we’re all clued in when we have to be and there has been a really competitive but healthy atmosphere among the team all year.
“Even when playing club matches you know that the two lads will be watching so you have to be at your best in those games too so you can’t afford to switch off and I think that the fact that everyone has been playing regular hard championship matches for their club in the last while has helped us along as well and match sharpen us going into these championship games at under-21.
“The fact that this championship is straight knock out means that you have to produce big performances each day or you’ll be gone so I think the fact that a lot of us would have been playing matches regularly for the clubs helped in that respect.”
Wicklow have started slowly in both matches on route to the final. While it is something Padraig recognises they can’t do against Kerry he also concludes that in both matches they didn’t panic and showed good composure.
“It is something we have discussed coming into the match that we can’t afford to only get going after 10 or 15 minutes or whatever. Having said that though in both matches we battled back level and I think at half-time in those games we were just about level or ahead.
No matter what happens on Saturday I think that it’s important that we keep our composure and play our own game.
“Kerry are a very good side and there’s a reason a lot of their lads have won Minor All-Irelands but having said that we feel we have a serious team ourselves and that if we show up on any given day with our A game it will take a very good team to stop us.
“It’s going to be a huge battle. Everyone just has to worry about winning their own mini battles and helping out the lads next to them and I know for sure that no one will sherk or shy away from anything and everyone will be giving it their all.”
Doyle knows that it will take a monumental effort from everyone in blue and yellow on Saturday. But to win the All-Ireland again and lift the cup would be a huge achievement for this team.
“Obviously it would be great to lift the cup but we have to keep that out of our minds and just go out and play the hurling match like we normally would. It’s going to take a huge 60 minutes from everyone and whether we win, lose or draw we just have to give it our absolute all and leave everything out on the pitch.
“I think if we have confidence in ourselves and our game plan we have a great chance but we’ll do our talking out on the pitch. Two years ago there was a huge crowd who travelled down from Wicklow and that made a massive difference that day as it seemed like there was a sixteenth player on the pitch with us.
“It would be hugely appreciated by absolutely everyone involved with us if as many supporters as possible made the trip down and hopefully we can repay them with a win. One thing for sure is that we will do absolutely everything and more to win that trophy.”