'Character all over the field' — Eoin Fehily lauds Éire Óg footballers' revival

Éire Óg manager Eoin Fehily praised his side’s resilience, depth and growing maturity after they claimed a priceless 0-15 to 1-11 victory over Newcestown in Ovens last Thursday evening. 

It’s a result that gives them control of their own destiny heading into the final round of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League.

A late free from the ever-reliable Daniel Goulding sealed the win in a tense finish, securing back-to-back league victories for the first time this season. 

It moves Éire Óg to seven points from eight games, meaning survival is now firmly in their own hands when they host Clonakilty in the final round.

For a Senior A club operating in a fiercely competitive top division, Fehily made no attempt to hide the significance of the result.

“It’s great to get the win first and foremost,” he said post-match.

“Everyone goes out trying to get the two points, but from our own perspective it’s putting the back-to-back wins together. We haven’t done that all year.

“The game was such a knife-edge… only to win it by a point in the end. The biggest thing was the character for the whole entire game.

“It would have been a real sickener to walk away with a defeat. A draw probably wouldn’t have had too many arguments either way, but we’re just very happy — and people could say fortunate — to be on the right side of it.” 

Three games ago, Éire Óg were beaten by 15 points at home against Knocknagree. Since then, they have beaten Carbery Rangers away and Newcestown at home.

Asked what had changed, Fehily didn’t reach for excuses, but he did point to the reality of dual-club scheduling and the lack of training time that comes with midweek fixtures.

“We have struggled with midweek games this year — I think it’s our first time picking up any points,” he says.

“We got two incredible sessions going into the Carbery Rangers game. It was just bringing everything together. We have got more time on the training field. 

"We haven’t changed too much — it’s about getting our principles across, getting the phases of play right, and keeping the application for 60 minutes.” 

One of the most striking aspects of Éire Óg’s recent revival has been the number of changes from game to game. Fehily sees that as a strength rather than a disruption.

“I think it demonstrates the depth in the squad,” he said.

“We made seven changes going into the Carbery Rangers game and got our win. I think we made another five today and got our win.

“It shows the depth and the departments of the squad — everyone pushing each other when we get out on the field.” 

The game carried an unusual subplot with Carthach Keane, coaching Éire Óg while still playing for Newcestown. He is currently out injured at the moment, but while he was present at the game, he kept his distance. Fehily praised the professionalism shown.

“Carthach is an incredible player, an incredible person, and an incredible coach,” he states. 

“There was probably a bit more Newcestown analysis coming from myself and others this week, but he led brilliantly. It was organised well and ran well.” 

Éire Óg now face Clonakilty at home in a final-day showdown knowing that the Ovens team have the destiny in their own hands in terms of survival.

“No matter what, we focus on what’s in front of us. We’ll recover right, prepare right, and build on what we’ve been doing. You just want to finish the league campaign strong because of course you’re looking for that bounce into championship.”