Adrian & Radek says past disappointment driving Allen Gaels on in 2025

Dublin’s historic six-in-a-row was famously prompted by their reaction to the disappointment of losing to Donegal in 2014. And it seems as if Allen Gaels have taken a leaf out of that book according to joint captains Adrian Sorohan and Radek Oberwan as they set sights on the Smith Monumentals IFC crown next Sunday.

The Drumshanbo men are very much looking forward to the future when they take on St Patrick’s Dromahair in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada but Adrian admits that ‘past wrongs’ are driving the Gaels on: “We righted one wrong from a semi-final a couple of years ago,” said Adrian after a hard fought semi-final victory over Annaduff, “So we're just happy now to get the win there.”

The disappointment of that defeat and last year’s Final loss to Melvin Gaels are a motivating factor according to Adrian: “It plays a part, but we've been driving on. That's what's been a driving factor for us. Of course, things went wrong for us last year, but no, we moved on from it, we learned from it, and we're seeing the games out.

“How many scores have we got in the last 10-15 minutes? We're not letting what happened last year happen again. We're going to drive on until the final whistle. I think we're in a better place again than last year. We're a stronger team.”

It is a point reiterated by Radek: “Coming straight off last year, 30 lads were training in January, pushing on. Last year is put behind us, and we're just going to keep going until we can. There's nothing won until you win the final, but we just keep motoring and just keep going until the final whistle.

DRUMKEERIN CONFIRMED AS HOST VENUE FOR AIB CONNACHT LGFA IFC QUARTER FINAL

“That's the thing about  Finals - the hype will be building up now over the last  two weeks for the final but it is always great to play a final at the end of the year.”

That belief in their own ability was seen to great effect against Annaduff as the Gaels produced a storming last quarter to see off their rivals: “I suppose we have that confidence that even when things go wrong, we were two points up at half-time, and then what, in the first ten minutes they were two points up,” said Adrian.

“I'd say an old Allen Gaels team would have lost their nerve a little bit, but we didn't. I take great confidence from that now, and great belief that we've seen that game out. Annaduff are a brilliant team, we knew that going into it. Midfield there, Kenny Cox and they some brilliant forwards that can take a score like Darren Cox, we were aware of that.”

With Dromahair’s semi-final win over Drumkeerin taking place in Shane McGettigan Park, Adrian and his teammates were more than interested observers: “They were at our home turf. Dromahair were impressive, I thought Drumkeerin were going to run away with it at times, but no, Dromahair kept going and they’ve some great footballers there as well and they’ll take minding.”

Many have Allen Gaels as overwhelming favourites but Adrian said it is not a subject they think about: “We're focused on the final now for the next two weeks. Being favourites is going to be the last thing on our minds. We're going to work hard for the next two weeks. 

“We're going to do whatever bit of research, training and stuff we need to but to be honest, I don't think about it too much - maybe other players do, I don't know.”

Adrian  paid tribute to the work of manager James Flynn and his management team: “ I love the work that James Flynn and James Deane have drilled into us that we learn from our mistakes and look at our bench. We' a fantastic bench - Colin Moran came on, Jake Tobin, them lads were County U20s a few years ago. 

“Even Karl Foley, he's only about 22 and has a couple of years of senior football experience as well. We have a fantastic bench and there is competition everywhere - we've 30 lads, as Radek says, competing for 15 places. So it's brilliant.”

Adrian won’t make a prediction but his ambition for next Sunday is clear: “Senior is where we want to be, it's where we should be as Allen Gaels. There's a lot of people in Drumshanbo who would love to see it back where we belong and that's the driving factor - just to make sure we get there this year.”