OULART-THE-BALLAGH may have lost the last three AIB Leinster senior club hurling finals but manager Martin Storey has backed his players to put the record straight when they tackle Mount Leinster Rangers in next Sunday’s provincial decider at Nowlan Park.
As a player, Storey experienced Leinster final defeats against Offaly champions Birr (1994) and Kilkenny kingpins Glenmore (1995).
Oulart’s provincial tale of woe continued over the last three years with final at the hands of O’Loughlin Gaels (2011), Coolderry (2012) and Kilcormac-Killoughey 12 months ago.
But Oulart put last season’s latest heartbreak behind them to become the first team in the history of Wexford GAA to win five successive county senior titles.
And their latest foray into the Leinster championship has seen them claim victory against Kilkenny champions Clara, followed by a successful revenge mission in Tullamore when they put Kilcormac-Killoughey to the sword.
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Oulart are 2-5 with the bookies to win a first Leinster title, with Mount Leinster Rangers on offer at 9-4.
And Storey conceded: “The players probably have a little flashback to the last three but it will be a very good leveller for them knowing they’ve been in the last three finals and haven’t come out on the right side of it.
“I think that’s incentive enough in itself. I think you have to put things right but you have to deliver the performance to put it right.
“There’s no such thing as deserving in sport – you have to win it.
“We’re setting out now to get everything right and try and do everything right as are Mount Leinster Rangers.
“At least we’re in a position to have an opportunity again to win a Leinster title.
“It’s my first year so it’s new to me so I’m hoping I bring something different to the lads as well in the build-up to it. I won’t be back going, I’m thinking about the future.”
It also remains to be seen whether Storey and a number of his players participating in Movember are clean-shaven in Kilkenny on Sunday afternoon.
The final takes place on the first day of December but Storey and Oulart’s mustachioed stars may wait until Sunday evening before pulling out the razors.
Wexford’s 1996 All-Ireland winning skipper Storey laughed: “There’s been a slagging match but it’s been done for charity.
“Everyone’s coming up with a different one. Some lads have the handlebars and some lads have the little ‘taches and then some lads have I don’t know what you may call it.
“They’re all jeering me because I’ve always had a moustache. I just let it grow a little bit longer!”
We’ve learned from three straight Leinster final defeats – Martin Storey
OULART-THE-BALLAGH may have lost the last three AIB Leinster senior club hurling finals but manager Martin Storey has backed his players to put the record straight when they tackle Mount Leinster Rangers in next Sunday’s provincial decider at Nowlan Park.
As a player, Storey experienced Leinster final defeats against Offaly champions Birr (1994) and Kilkenny kingpins Glenmore (1995).
Oulart’s provincial tale of woe continued over the last three years with final at the hands of O’Loughlin Gaels (2011), Coolderry (2012) and Kilcormac-Killoughey 12 months ago.
But Oulart put last season’s latest heartbreak behind them to become the first team in the history of Wexford GAA to win five successive county senior titles.
And their latest foray into the Leinster championship has seen them claim victory against Kilkenny champions Clara, followed by a successful revenge mission in Tullamore when they put Kilcormac-Killoughey to the sword.
Oulart are 2-5 with the bookies to win a first Leinster title, with Mount Leinster Rangers on offer at 9-4.
And Storey conceded: “The players probably have a little flashback to the last three but it will be a very good leveller for them knowing they’ve been in the last three finals and haven’t come out on the right side of it.
“I think that’s incentive enough in itself. I think you have to put things right but you have to deliver the performance to put it right.
“There’s no such thing as deserving in sport – you have to win it.
“We’re setting out now to get everything right and try and do everything right as are Mount Leinster Rangers.
“At least we’re in a position to have an opportunity again to win a Leinster title.
It also remains to be seen whether Storey and a number of his players participating in Movember are clean-shaven in Kilkenny on Sunday afternoon.
The final takes place on the first day of December but Storey and Oulart’s mustachioed stars may wait until Sunday evening before pulling out the razors.
Wexford’s 1996 All-Ireland winning skipper Storey laughed: “There’s been a slagging match but it’s been done for charity.
“Everyone’s coming up with a different one. Some lads have the handlebars and some lads have the little ‘taches and then some lads have I don’t know what you may call it.
“They’re all jeering me because I’ve always had a moustache. I just let it grow a little bit longer!”
Here’s the key GAA club fixtures for the week ahead
Check out the highlights of Tomas Quinn’s 1-8 for St Vincent’s last Sunday
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AIB Club All-Ireland Senior HC Leinster Club Hurling Final Leinster Hurling Championship Mount Leinster Rangers Oulart-the-Ballagh