Cuala manager Mattie Kenny is expecting a stern test from Oulart-The Ballagh in the Leinster club SHC final on November 29.

The Wexford champions will be hoping it's a case of seventh time lucky after losing six finals, incluidng four-in-a-row between 2010 and 2013.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Star after Cuala's impressive semi-final win over Kilkenny kingpins Clara, Galway man Kenny noted: "They're seasoned and they have a bit of hurt on their side. They've failed a few times at this level so they'll definitely have a point to prove. We're under no illusions of the battle we'll have in two weeks' time.

"I can't talk for Oulart obviously. But I know from my own experience that sometimes when you lose, it drags you on to a higher level. Winning, apart from Kilkenny, can make a lot of teams soft.

"Sometimes when you lose, that desire grows bigger and you want to get across that line so badly. I'm sure we'll be playing a hugely motivated Oulart team in two week's time."

Kenny was delighted with the battling qualities the Dublin champions displayed in withstanding Clara's second half fightback.

"I thought the ferocity of Clara's tackling was huge. They put us under huge pressure. But our lads handled that, they came to grips with it and you'd have to be proud of how Cuala played," he added.

Tweet

Most Read Stories