Stephens not star struck by high-flying students

WITH time ticking down on this year’s hurling season, most team managers spend the winter evenings in front of the fire, ruminating on the season, planning for the year ahead.

Adrian Finan, however, is still on the go.

Tomorrow, in the last major act of this year’s hurling calendar, his team, James Stephens, take on UCD in the Leinster Club final.

“It’s great to be there, a good sign of a club to be still going this time of the year,” he says.

The game is set for Portlaoise, a new venue for the city-based Kilkenny champions and their fans, who are used to strolling to Nowlan Park. Finan is confident his team will adapt.

“Most of the lads have played there, although UCD played their semi-final there. It’s not that big an advantage.

“The key is to be up for it. Once the ball is in, it doesn’t matter where we are. We’re representing Kilkenny and we’re proud of that. I only hope the Kilkenny supporters don’t get confused, there are so many Kilkenny lads playing for UCD! Guys like Brian Hogan, Brian Phelan, Tim Murphy, Paul Doheny and David Prendergast.”

James Stephens have already met Hogan in the Kilkenny championship.

“He was full-back for O’Loughlin Gaels, a towering hurler and was brilliant for UCD against Coolderry.”

Hogan isn’t the only talented hurler in the UCD squad. The controversial Dublin champions bristle with threat, right through the side.

“Babs (Keating, UCD manager) was talking this week about fellas who didn’t make county panels, but their corner-back, Eddie Campion from Tullaroan, was brilliant last week in the Kilkenny U-21 final. Clem Murphy, who came on as a sub in the semi-final, captained St Kieran’s to an All-Ireland Colleges in 2000.

“I was talking to a Tipperary man, who said they have a club mate of his, Morrissey, and he said he’s brilliant, on the fringes of the Tipp senior team.

“Another Tipp guy came on the last day, Smith at corner-forward, he was brilliant, but that’s the advantage they have. John O’Connor (Wexford senior captain) played in the forwards against Coolderry and was taken off.

“They have Doc O’Connor at full-back and Brendan Murphy. You could go on, but all we can do is plan for us and get our own game right. However, Finan is more than aware of the talent in his own side.

“We’re getting better. There’s a great spirit that makes a difference in tight matches. The lads would go to the ends of the earth for each other. But it will take more than brute force.”

Even with all their firepower, UCD will not find it easy to score against an experienced, Philly Larkin-inspired James Stephens defence. It’s up front however, that the Kilkenny champions could surprise, with a flying young forward line.

“Most people would have said ‘the Village’ would win nothing because the forwards weren’t good enough. That shows what confidence can do. When people believe in themselves, they can rise to great heights.

“You’re in the dark in many ways, playing clubs you never come across. All you can do is concentrate on your own strengths, try to cover any weaknesses and go for it. That’s what we’ll be doing.”