Sligo's best known hurler Paul Seevers will finally get his day in the sun this afternoon when he lines out against Louth in the Nicky Rackard Cup final at Croke Park. The 38-year-old sharpshooter retired from inter-county hurling after 20 years of largely unnoticed service at the end of last year, only to be coaxed back into the fold in April by fellow Tubbercurry man Mick Burke and his father Mick Seevers, who are part of the Sligo management set-up. "I needed a break from it during the league because I had so much going on," he said. "But come April they weren't really going to let me stay away from it! I said I'd give it a lash again and when I came back we started physical training down in Sligo IT. That went on for about 10 weeks so my fitness picked up a lot after that." Seevers has notched up 1-26 in Sligo's four games to date, the highlight coming last Saturday in Markiviecz Park when he shot 0-10 in their semi-final win over Fingal. "I just think it's a fantastic competition. It gives the weaker counties something huge to aim for. After the league in April we went and played Longford, Monaghan and Roscommon in challenge matches. They were really good games because all the sides were preparing for a championship. "There are a few things that might need to be ironed out. Playing the matches off so fast every week can take it out of players and I think there should be a two-week break between some. And the situation where the Christy Ring final was going to be played on Friday night was a terrible one but at least they changed it. "But still, as an idea it is a great one. It promotes the game superbly and is a huge incentive for players." Seevers cannot stress enough how big an occasion today's final is for everyone involved with Sligo hurling. "It is for the guys behind-the-scenes in Sligo hurling as much as the players. They've kept it going through good times and bad times. Mick Burke is from Tipp but he's been living in Tubbercurry now for 50 years and he's done amazing work. "My own father is from Galway and he's been in Tubbercurry for 40 years, and if we won it'd be brilliant for people like them. It's like a family with the team as we're very close-knit." The three-time Railway Cup medal winner with Connacht continued: "I'm on the road a long time now at this stage. I played in goals in the All-Ireland minor 'B' final in Croke Park in 1986 but the only time I've got back there since was a shinty trial a few years ago. It's going to be a great experience for all the lads, as this team is not about any one man." Tweet

Most Read Stories