Rathkeale’s Mike Barrett and Jack Hennessy prepared to “leave nothing on the field” in Saturday’s Intermediate Football Championship Final

Rathkeale manager Mike Barrett and player Jack Hennessy preview this Thursday’s Limerick IFC Final clash with Kildimo Pallaskenry.

Rathkeale booked their place in the intermediate final after getting one over their modern rivals Gerald Griffins in the semi-finals. Having lost to Ballyhahill based club in their last two quarter-final encounters, Rathkeale settled their debts in Newcastle West two weeks ago to earn their first county final appearance since 2018.

Rathkeale manager Mike Barrett shared his thoughts from the hugely significant semi-final win, explaining how his side has no shortage of motivation ahead of their intermediate final clash with Kildimo Pallaskenry.

“It was a massive achievement on the day, thankfully the boys played well, it was easy get up for the match because the 2019 result wounded more than last year.

“There was a good few players injured last year but to be six points up and to lose it in the last 10 minutes that year, it was very easy motivate the boys and they responded well last Saturday. Hopefully there’s another performance in us.”

Rathkeale manager Mike Barrett on Gerald Griffins win

Jack Hennessy echoed those sentiments, highlighting the character within the squad.

“If you were to criticise anything, people might have said that we lack character, we lack this and that, that’s an absolutely massive motivating factor for us from the last day and for us going forward.”

Rathkeale player Jack Hennessy added

Before Rathkeale could look ahead to the business end of the championship, they first had to focus on getting out of their pool. Rathkeale shared a pool with some of the tournament’s favourites, namely Mungret St Pauls and St Patricks.

With draws against both enough to secure their passage, Rathkeale were able to redirect their focus towards both redemption and promotion.

“The group of death it was called, it was all about surviving in that group and we were glad to come out of it… once we got out it was do or die in every game, just do the best you can”

Barrett added

Even though Rathkeale’s momentum going into the intermediate final is in full swing, the memory of their recent defeats are still fresh in both the players and the managements mind.

A final loss in 2018 was followed by back-to-back quarter final losses in 2019 and 2020, both of which were to Gerald Griffins, the disappointment that comes with such a significant loss at such a crucial stage of the season is a feeling that nobody in Rathkeale wants to feel again anytime soon.

“I think the best thing about it in terms of the loss is that we know how bad it feels to lose and as I said the last day down at training ‘we don’t want that feeling again boys, make sure you’re prepared, make sure we give it your all, leave nothing on the field and hopefully the rest will take care of itself'”

Hennessy on 2018 and 2019 losses to Gerald Griffins

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Rathkeale will take on Kildimo Pallaskenry in the final of the 2021 Griffins Coaches County Intermediate Football Championship on the 28th of October in Mick Neville Park, with throw-in at 7:30pm.