Anthony Daly: Year two bosses should give public more faith in this league

A handful of managers in their second season will treat this league as a real chance to win something. 

FAITH IN LEAGUE: Kilkenny hurler, Richie Reid, at the launch of the 2024 Allianz Hurling League. The Allianz Hurling League provides an opportunity for all players to claim their spot in the county panel for the season ahead. The return of inter-county action, after a five-month break, also affords the teams competing a chance to showcase their strengths and lay down a marker to their county rivals. Pic ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ahead of the 2005 national leagues, Mickey Harte and I did this promotional event in the old Arbour Hill Boxing club in Stoneybatter in Dublin. I was in my second season with Clare. Mickey was heading into his third with Tyrone, after his side had undergone a difficult second — beaten by Mayo in an All-Ireland quarter-final.

I was unsure about our approach to the league so I was keen to know what Mickey thought, especially when Tyrone had always been such a good league team. "Would you like to win the league, Mickey?" I asked him. "Of course I would Aunthoney," he replied. "But I wouldn’t like to be winning it going flat out."