Today, the finest Hurlers in Europe will board planes and descend on Dublin to play Naomh Barrog in the Leinster Junior Club 'Special' Final! It pits the winners of the Leinster competition (which excludes the Wexford and Kilkenny champions) against Europe's best. It was initiated for the first time last year when Europe were defeated by the Offaly champions in horrendous conditions in Den Hague.
This year the fixture takes place in the capital and the Europeans travel a bit blind. Eligibility is based on participation in last year's Pan-European Hurling Championship so a slice of the players have moved on already. Also, Europe need to re-adjust to the 15-a-side game as opposed to 11-a-side. The squad has not gathered once for training and the availability of players was being confirmed up to the middle of this week.
The preparation point is a bit disappointing as a common location like Maastricht is accessible to all. However, nothing can be done about any of that at this stage. Such is the regularity with which we play our opponents in Europe, people are very familiar with eachother which is one positive. We have tussled and argued on the pitches many times and rounded off many tournaments with a lengthy stint at the bar.
In terms of our expectations, I think we'll give it a good lash. We have some strong hurlers who would hold their own on many teams in Ireland. Whether that is enough or not, we will find out. Belgium will be well represented with myself, Michael Hough, Kevin Keary, Philip Roche and Eoin Sheanon. Eoin is carrying a hand injury since the Na Fianna match a couple of weeks ago and couldn't hold the hurley properly last night.
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