Leading by example
Lethal Lennon the popular choice for Bray captain
THE energy and focus in Marc Lennon’s voice ahead of his training on Monday night with Bray Emmets was undeniable. In much the same way as his style of play on the hurling field, he made his points eloquently but with little meandering, cutting to the heart of the issue and not dilly dallying or engaging in anything unnecessary.
Lennon is a leader naturally. It’s not forced with the Bray man. His work rate is phenomenal in every game. His bravery second to none. Last year he lifted the cup for Bray after their dismantling of Glenealy and it was a very proud moment for him and his family. Tears were shed in a warm embrace with his father after the final whistle. It went deep into his bones.
Paul Carley and his management team have put their faith in Marc again in 2020. If that’s not a huge tribute and mark of respect for a young hurler then I don’t know what is.
The Bray captain is well aware of the challenge they face on Sunday against Carnew Emmets. He believes the battle in the middle third is going to decide the game with the team winning the majority of the breaks likely to be the ones celebrating at the final whistle.
The year has been a strange one but Lennon is quick to point
out that it’s the same for everyone. He says they got the kick up the backside they needed from Glenealy to power on to the decider
again this year.
‘Lads came back in decent nick (after lockdown). We had a fair few games between ourselves. In the
first game against Glenealy, we kind if hurled well for three quarters of the game but then we kind of let it go. Glenealy had a game plan and it worked for them on the day but we seemed to have turned a corner and it was the kick up the backside that we needed. It was an eye opener shall we say,’ said Marc.
Games against Éire Óg, Avondale and St Pat’s followed. The strenght in depth of the panel is key in the captain’s mind.
‘The Éire Óg game went well and we put up a nice score in the Avondale game. We’ve had humdingers with St Pat’s over the years.
‘Last year there was only a point in it. They’re always a tough team. This year we were against a touch breeze and we were happy to go in a point down but we got three points in the first few minutes and Eoin McCormack came on and got a nice goal and we went on from there.
‘The squad we have there are unbelievable and that’s why the team are doing so well because there’s that competition. When you think about it, Eoin McCormack not starting, there aren’t too many teams in Wicklow who could have that.
Even at training lads know they can’t come and take a handy session here or there. Everyone knows they have to put it in and keep pushing each other on,’ he said.
Retaining the captaincy is a source of pride for Marc and given that it is among a team littered with strong personalities it’s even more of a tribute.
‘Great honour. Paul just came to me at the start of the year after we came back after Covid and asked me if I would be happy to do it again and I don’t think anyone would be happy enough to say no. I was happy to take it and hopefully we’ll get the same result as last year,’ he said.
So Carnew are the enemy come 4.30pm on Sunday evening. There has been plenty of change in the old foe in recent times and they present plenty of dangers according to Lennon.
‘A much younger team than they used to me. A few of the older lads have moved on or are playing a different role for them. Obviously, they’re very dangerous, the likes of Enda Donohoe, especially from frees, he doesn’t miss. And then Jack Doyle, arguably one of the best players in the county at the moment from the few games that we’ve seen.
‘They’re going to bring a serious work rate. Hickley has them very well set up. We’re expecting nothing but a tough battle,’ he said.
And that middle third? ‘The middle third will be the winning of the game. Breaks will be the difference and then it will be whose forwards or whose backs have a great day. Middle third is massive. We’re hoping that we’ll be on the winning side of that,’ he said, before heading to training and no doubt hurling up a storm.