Haven have to put party on hold as Drom loom

Generally, winning a county senior championship sets in train a ritual to be followed as the cup is brought around the local schools and then toasted in various hostelries by night.

Castlehaven have had to curtail their celebrations following Sunday’s Cork SFC final win over Duhallow, however, as they face Limerick’s Dromcollogher-Broadford in the Munster championship on Sunday.

“We’ll be back in training on Tuesday night, the celebrations are over now after today,” said Castlehaven selector Niall Cahalane yesterday.

“That the game is so soon means we need to focus straight away. We wouldn’t know a huge amount about Dromcollogher-Broadford but they have acquitted themselves well in the club championship over the years, they beat Nemo Rangers to win Munster in 2008.

“At this level, any team that has got this far will be a respectable side and we know it won’t be easy, maybe there might be a bit of luck required too.”

Castlehaven qualified for the provincial competition after beating Carbery Rangers in the county semi-final, as Duhallow could not enter as divisional sides are barred from competing.

The Haven nominated Clonakilty as their ‘home’ ground, and while there had been speculation that the Munster Council would switch the game to Páirc Uí Rinn, Cahalane is happy that it is staying relatively local.

“Clon have an inter-county set-up at their new pitch and it makes a lot more sense to hold the game there, I think. It’s a fine facility,” he said.

The shorter travel time should also lead to more support, he hopes.

“Exactly, fingers crossed we can draw a bit of a West Cork crowd when it’s on in Clon,” he said.

“For people who have been travelling up and down to Cork with the last while it hasn’t been easy, it’s expensive pulling a car out for a long journey like that.

“Hopefully there’ll be a good Haven support there on Sunday, and maybe from the rest of the clubs around too.”

While there were no serious injuries suffered in Sunday’s final, Cahalane admits that there are some minor afflictions.

“We have a few niggles, nothing too serious, we won’t know fully until we’re back in training.

“We might be down one or two but it’s hard to say right now, when you’re playing tough matches two weekends in a row like we have been, it takes its toll.”