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Published 15:21 23 Jan 2016 GMT
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"The biggest game for us was probably the semi final a week before the county title. It was winner takes all as the semi-final victors got up senior and the excitement was probably even bigger that day if that makes sense. "The pressure was off then for the county title after the win over Kinvara, but no one ever remembers runners up in a county final. It had to be about the title then against Moycullen."https://twitter.com/Abbey_Hurling/status/663052603429945348 The Galway club championship is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the country, with sides from west of the Shannon regularly reaching February and March All-Ireland club deciders. Abbeyknockmoy were among more than half a dozen sides who would have been thought of a serious contenders for the intermediate championship, as Cooney explains.
"People outside of the county only see the senior but at intermediate level, I can tell anyone, it is the biggest competition and to win a final, is huge. There is maybe 8-10 clubs every year competing for it. "We had got to the semi final two season before this one, and we were beaten by the winners. You have so many clubs battling for it and to get to semi final is good, but to go all the way is very special."https://twitter.com/Abbey_Hurling/status/660774977185124353 Clearly to get the best out of their group of players in 2015, there needed to be changes. A subtle alteration in management, as well as the introduction of some key personnel in the backroom team, proved crucial.
"Michael Coleman, our previous manager stepped away this year for a break, and me and Gerry Farragher took over. We met the lads on the 29th of December and we laid down what was going to happen and we were going to win this bloody thing. "Diarmuid Nestor came into do some physical work with the lads and then we got another man, Damien Rooney and he was a great addition and the jewel in the crown was former Portumna boss Johnny Kelly coming in. He's done a great job too and got in the lads heads telling them they are better than anyone."
Paul Flaherty receiving his All-Star from Galway GAA President Cyril Farrell Posted by Abbeyknockmoy Hurling on Sunday, 17 January 2016
"We're a dual club and we didn't want after the summer break to try and have to make the knockout stages. Once we got past that we played well in the last eight and the pressure was off. There's nothing to hold us back in Connacht. Games came quickly. It's come Sunday after Sunday and the less time the lads have to think the better."
And we're off!!! Next stop London. Posted by Abbeyknockmoy Hurling on Friday, 20 November 2015
"They are used to the big day, they're a big physical side, and they have skill too. A team from Antrim won the intermediate last year and we'll have to play our best hurling. We want a day out in Croke Park. "A lot of people say its bonus territory but we haven't come this far to lose a semi final. We'd be very disappointed if we don't win, we've worked hard and we want to show the chance what we can do in Croke Park. "Now that we're here as county and Connacht champions, we want to go all the way."AIB All-Ireland intermediate club hurling semi-final: Abbeyknockmoy v Creggan Kickhams, Sunday, Pairc Tailteann, 1pm.
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