We haven’t a prayer, says Fr Murphy’s boss

JIM Howlin is under no illusions about the task facing his club tomorrow in Ruislip.

Ask him to assess the chances of Fr Murphy's springing a surprise, and he doesn't sugar-coat his answer.

"We will be doing well to compete with them to be honest," he says with striking frankness. "When I look at the standard of our championship and then see what Newtown did to Patrickswell, how much they scored against an excellent outfit, I think we will be doing well to hold them to a reasonable score."

Howlin has been involved in Fr Murphys for over 30 years, since he first arrived in London from Rathnure in Wexford. Back then, Murphy's was a Wexford club they still play in the purple and gold. But, the club had very little success until Howlin took the managerial reins six years ago.

Since then, they have won successive county titles in 2000 and 2001, before regaining the title this year. So, Newtown will be meeting an experienced side, but Howlin still accepts the battle will be uphill.

"They look to be one of the stronger teams left in the competition and have very fine players, not just the O'Connors who everyone knows, but there is a lot of young talent on that team. And because they are so young, they are going to be very quick. I would have preferred a slower team."

The difficulty facing London GAA has been recounted so much in the past decade, it has entered the realm of cliche. The Celtic Tiger ensured clubs could no longer be moulded from the dust of building sites. These days, the young and free Irish who arrive in London are doing so for better career options and social life. Gaelic games have fallen in the list of priorities.

"It is very difficult these days in London, it is a complete generational turnaround. When I first came here from Wexford, it was all labouring work and two weeks off in August. Now, those that come to London are all professionals looking to advance their career, and they aren't interested in playing the games.

"In 94, 13 out of the 15 of our team were from Wexford, now seven counties make up the team and we have two second generation players. We look for players wherever we can get them, there are players from Dublin, Armagh, Laois on the team."

And still, difficulties remain. While most clubs left in the championship would have two people vying for nearly every position, cover isn't so good in the thirty-third county. "Yeah, it is hard to keep going sometimes, we are working off a squad of 20, whereas most clubs would have squads of 25 or 30. Sometimes, we would play championship games with only one or two subs."

But the Kilburn-based club have shifted the power-base in London hurling. They now share the pedestal with Sean Treacy's and they have shown some Irish clubs they are not to be taken lightly. They competed in this year's Kilmacud Sevens and gave such a good account of themselves that Howlin's voice swells with pride as when he recalls it.

"We played in the senior grade of the sevens last year, because we won the Shield the year before. That was a great confidence-booster. Then we got to the quarters of the seniors sevens, which was excellent for this club. It shows we can compete with Irish players."

To compete is all Jim Howlin asks of his players tomorrow. Newtownshandrum are becoming favourites for the entire championship. They are unlikely to slip on a banana-skin in Ruislip. Still all Howlin wants is a great effort from his players. He is certain he will get it.

"We are realistic, but I think we can go out and give a good account of ourselves. We haven't laid down since the county final last year and we won't against Newtown."