We are living the dream - Eviston

By Shane Brophy

Willie Eviston had the honour of lifting the O’Dwyer Cup on Sunday as Loughmore/Castleiney finally got their hands on some silverware after an incredible last two seasons.

“It probably a little bit of disbelief to be honest,” he admitted of his emotion at the final whistle.

“Last year might have played a factor as we went so close and the bit of pain. It’s just elation today but next week is very much on our minds as well and are targeting that match now.”

But for that hour on Sunday after winning the senior football title, they could mingle with family, friends, and supporters after producing another spirited performance to come back from another slow start.

“You would be expecting to be on the floor after ten minutes against Clonmel and that was the case today,” Eviston added.

“When that happens, it’s not really panic, we are used to it now but in fairness to Clonmel they have had the up on us so usually we haven’t been able to get back so thank God we got the scores at the end to get us over the line.”

He added: “We like to think that is a strength of ours, but you can’t rely on that to get you over the line. We have some big players who have had big moments, lots of experience, skill. We try and bring all that on every given day.

“There’s no doubt about it we have started slowly for a good few matches now. Sixteen weeks or no sixteen weeks, have you seen us fail going coming down the stretch? No. We have full confidence in ourselves going down the stretch.”

And that sixteen weeks is guaranteed to go to eighteen, and possibly more, depending on how the hurling final replay or the Munster club football quarter final goes.

Eviston added: “We don’t have to do that much training; we are playing matches every weekend. That is what you play GAA for is to play matches.

“We are in the dream situation of playing big championship matches week-in week-out. There are not many clubs that can say they are doing that, and we are enjoying every bit of that.”