Tuesday night fixture raises Heslin’s ire
St Loman’s, Mullingar captain John Heslin has taken issue with the scheduling of the Leinster quarter-final, which will take place this evening (Tuesday) at Lakepoint Park at 7.30pm.
The Westmeath champions are gearing up to take on Wexford’s Castletown in a big knock-out contest, a major occasion for the Mullingar club.
The switch to Tuesday was necessary due to Castletown’s dual commitments, as their hurlers faced Moorefield away in a Leinster club JHC on Saturday.
Heslin, whose side proved too strong for Meath’s Dunshaughlin in round one, feels the midweek game is unfair on players who have to work. The PhD graduate who works in agriculture, spoke after his side defeated the Meath champions in Navan, producing a fine display in the process.
“You know, people work. And not everyone just works down the road, in the post office or as a teacher,” he remarked. “There’s loads of different jobs, and people are asked to play a very important game on a Tuesday night that means so much to the club and the whole country – would you play on a Tuesday night?”
When it was suggested that a day off might be in order, it didn’t sit well with the St Loman’s star, who was also unimpressed with the idea that a half day may be necessary.
“I don’t know, are you going to pay me?” he responded to the assembled media. “I’m not going to take a day off. I don’t take many days off. I won’t be allowed to take a half day. Bills have to be paid. This football craic is only for a bit of fun. Playing on a Tuesday night is tough. I hope they realise that.”
GPA chief Tom Parsons raised the issue of midweek fixtures just last month.
Heslin’s club and county team-mate, Ronan O’Toole, was less animated about the midweek move. “We’re used to training at that time on Tuesday so we’ll take everything as it comes. We’re just looking forward to it,” O’Toole reasoned.
Heslin stressed that it’s crucial St Loman’s maintain their focus ahead of the quarter-final, and many observers feel the Westmeath champions are now strong contenders for provincial honours.
“If you focus on titles, you kind of trip up over your own feet,” said Heslin. “We came to get the win, to put in a performance, and it’ll be the same again next time out. You have to get the bodies right as well, get the recovery in. Premier League players find it hard to play week after week. So we have to get the bodies right, recover, get the food in, do ice baths, get the work schedule correct and get the body correct, get them right to put in another performance.”
St Loman’s last reached the Leinster final in 2017, and lost in dramatic circumstances to Kildare’s Moorefield, who recovered from being six points adrift.
“There are still things to work on,” said Heslin. “If you come away thinking you’re great lads, then that will be your downfall.”
The winners of Tuesday’s tie face St Mary’s, Ardee in the semi-final on November 23 and if St Loman’s prevail, they will secure a home game in TEG Cusack Park. Dublin champions Cuala, who defeated Naas, meet Tullamore in the other semi-final.