LAOIS CAPTAIN DARREN King and Kilkenny player Cillian Buckley say they are both relishing this evening’s clash between the two sides in the Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 HC final.
Ahead of the game, King describes the sense of anticipation surrounding what is likely to be a special occasion.
“There’s great excitement around the place. Laois don’t get to too many Leinster U21 hurling finals (their last appearance was in 1990) so it’s a big occasion. It’s nice to be there and we’re very well-prepared. We’re looking forward to it.
Laois have been regarded as the underdogs in the build-up to the game, but King says they are accustomed to such low expectations.
“For the quarter-final against Dublin, we were underdogs but we’re used to that. We got some luck on the day and it was the same in the semi-final against Carlow, when we won narrowly as well. It’s good for the confidence levels to be winning those tight games. Hopefully it’ll help us to be ready for the challenge that’s ahead.”
And it’ll hardly be an unfamiliar environment for King and his colleagues, given the amount of recognisable faces likely to be present for the game.
“There’s four players from my club Rathdowney-Errill on the panel – Nathan Unwin, James Ryan, Ross King, my younger brother, and myself. It’s a big occasion and especially when we have it on in our home ground in Portlaoise. I think there’s going to be a big crowd heading to it from our club and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate.”
Buckley, meanwhile, has warned his side that they will need to perform to the best of their abilities to win tonight.
“We’re really looking forward to the game. It’s been a few weeks since we were last in action against Wexford. We’d a slow start that night but it was the first time we’d played together as a team and it’s always going to take time to gel. We put up a big score alright against Wexford but you can have all the names and skill in the world, and it won’t matter if we don’t perform. We have to go do that and we’re relishing the challenge.”
He says the side are eager to make up for their premature exit from the competition last year.
“I wasn’t involved with the U21s last year, but it was definitely disappointing for the county to lose out to Wexford in the first round. It’s been a while since we’ve won the Leinster championship at this level and that’s our aim now.
“A lot of us have come through from minor level and colleges level with St Kieran’s where we’ve won All-Ireland titles. But it’s a whole new game at this level, it’s definitely a lot more physical and you have to step up to that. We’re hoping we can carry through our experience from those games.”
And while they are odds-on to win the tie, Buckley claims he is ignoring the pre-match hype.
“We’re respecting Laois big time. We’re treating it as if it’s any other big match. What they’ve done so far in beating Dublin and Carlow has opened our eyes. We’ll be preparing the exact same as if we were facing a big traditional county like Wexford or Dublin. And as they’re at home we’ll be expecting a huge challenge from them.”
The game will take place tonight at 7.30pm in Portlaoise.
