Hurling Final Preview

Saturday 12th October in a huge day in Edenderry Hurling History, in recent years, finals have not been too frequent and in fact, its 10 years since the Reds last appeared in the Junior decider. Back then, they succumbed to a strong Shinrone side following a replay. The historic win of 98 was still fresh in the mind and Edenderry had just returned to the Junior ranks following a spell at Intermediate. Prior to the 98 win, one must go back to 1963 for a hurling title win. That year it was the Intermediate title following the Junior win of ’62. The Reds had a short stint at Senior level through the 60’s before return to the Junior ranks with little success through the 70’s and 80’s. Great work at underage through the 80’s paid off with the ‘98 win and since then things have been up and down with many semi-final appearances and representation at Leinster level but no title to speak of.

If one was superstitious, the links to ’98 are strong. It might be 15 years on but Manager Jimmy O’Grady is back at the helm bringing his Firebrand style of Management back to his home club after successful spells in Meath & Westmeath. Jimmy came on board as the Club Schools Coach in 2013 and has proved very popular with the students and staff alike, hopefully many of the students from the local Primary Schools will attend at the Final on Saturday.

Following a couple of years under Player-Manager Seán Óg Farrell, Jimmy took on the Junior Hurling team and at the beginning it seemed if this was going to be a huge challenge to field a team never mind contest for the Title. However slowly but surely the squad was built and the players and wins kept coming. A defining win was against the opposition on Saturday, on the hottest day in July Edenderry played host Crinkle and it was hot and heavy on the field. Without a dirty stroke plenty of timber was tested by both sides but the Reds pulled in front just at the death to record a crucial win. It was from that win that the lads jelled and training ramped up a notch. Hard fought wins were to follow against Killeigh in the Q/F and a last gasp goal was required against KK to ensure a place in the Final but in tough games you make your own luck and Edenderry are there on merit.

Finals are there to be won and although this Edenderry team draws players from Rhode, Croghan, Clonbullogue & Daingean they are all proud to represent the Reds and Hurling in an effort to make a mark for North Offaly in a Junior Final. The commitment of this bunch is personified by players like the evergreen Seán Óg Farrell, one of the longest serving stalwarts of Hurling in Edenderry, Cillian Farrell in the same vein mixing Inter County Management with Club duty, the Kelly brothers Eoghan & Shane & the Hanlon brothers seem like they are playing for the Reds forever and a day and finally two men that will travel thousands of miles to play their part Stephen Murphy all the way from the Lebanon & James Merrick all the way from California.

The Club request that all members and supporters from the surrounding area get behind the lads and support them and Jimmy, Noel & Adrian on this historic day…Jimmy’s Winning Matches…Jimmy’s Winning Games…