Stephens hoping to end long title wait
They have come close in recent years, bowing out to tomorrow’s opponents and O’Loughlin Gaels at the semi-final stage in the past two seasons.
The victors then both went on to land county honours.
Brian Cody, Fan Larkin and Joe Hennessy were members of the last team to capture the county crown in 1981, a side which went on to win the All-Ireland club title, defeating Mount Sion in the final.
The links to that side are obvious. Donncha Cody and Phillip Larkin are sons of Brian and Fan respectively while club chairman Jimmy O’Brien, was the winning captain.
Adrian Finan, in his first year in charge of James Stephens, feels the team was dreadfully unlucky over the past two seasons, losing each game by a point.
Gowran’s winning score came from a DJ Carey free, when he came back on to the field after having been injured earlier on.
In 1976 when the teams last met in the county final, Gowran emerged victorious after a replay. They repeated the dose at the semi-final stage the following year, by a point.
“There’s no doubt about it, James Stephens have been knocking on the door for a while,’’ said Finan, a coach of St Kieran’s College teams.
“You could say that there’s a certain amount of frustration there after what happened in the last two years.
“Every county final in Kilkenny is there to be won, but it’s also very difficult. We are very close now, but at the same time standing in the way are DJ and Charlie and all these boys from Gowran.”
Champions O’Loughlin’s provided the biggest obstacle in reaching the final, with a replay required to separate the sides. The Village men won 1-12 to 0-7, with Eoin Larkin contributing all but four points.
“Eoin is our chief scorer. He is also our free-taker, but the other forwards contribute to the winning of those frees for him,’’ he added.
“To be honest, all the games are tight. There is very little between teams, usually no more than a point or two or three at the end. Every single match goes down to the wire, virtually. That’s what we are expecting.’’
Moreso after Young Irelands powered past a Tullaroan side which featured county stars Tommy Walsh and Ken Coogan.
“DJ and Charlie really cut loose in that game and they won by nine points. And Charlie got six points from play. He has really come into form at the right time.’’
If he has one concern, it relates to the greater experience of Gowran.
However, James Stephens are not without experience, considering that Peter Barry and Philly Larkin play alongside each other in the half-back line and that former Kilkenny U21 captain Jackie Tyrrell is partnered by Brian McEvoy at midfield.
The game is preceded by the MHC ‘A’ final between O’Loughlin’s and Rower-Inistioge (1pm).
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