Installing a winning mentality amongst the Faithful

SINCE his appointment as an Offaly hurling selector Joachim Kelly has spent much of his time emphasising that his county must acquire good habits, and they don’t get any better than the habit of winning.

In his own time as a star midfielder with the Faithful County, Kelly knew what it was like to win and lose All-Ireland finals, and there’s no mistaking which he preferred. As a result, it must be gratifying to see the players have heeded his words, because unbeaten Offaly currently lead Division 1A of the National League.

It’s a fine early-season recovery from last year, when a summer hammering by Kilkenny was a major blow for the men in the tricolour jerseys.

“After the drubbing we got from Kilkenny in last year’s Leinster championship, there was only one way we could go and that was up,” said Kelly.

“We set out at the start of the season to get into the winning habit and so far it has all gone according to plan. But it’s only March and the most important part of the season has yet to come.

“That defeat by Kilkenny still rankles with hurling people in Offaly, and a number of changes were introduced after a new management team was put in place. We identified a number of areas that needed addressing. I discovered in my playing career that the harder I worked, the easier hurling became, and I’ve tried to instil that into the players.

“The bulk of last year’s squad are still with us. We’ve introduced some new faces and the average age of the team is 24. What has changed is the attitude of management. We are far more professional in our approach to games.

“Our training and coaching methods have also changed, so too has our planning and preparation. One of our principal aims when we took over was to have the team very fit, and there has been a lot of hard work done and our results are a reflection of that.”

Kelly says he’s mystified by Offaly’s current position.

As he says, it’s still only March, and it’s as well to remain cautious. However, he’s not deaf to the fact that the hurling classes in Offaly are beginning to chatter about what life among the elite might be like.

“We are having a good run at the moment, but that’s not to say it’s going to continue. We are vulnerable like any team in our division. We are a bit like someone making a breakaway in the Tour of France. The peloton sets out to chase and they do it by working together against the fella out in front.

“Offaly go to Ennis tomorrow not having won there in over 20 years.

“We have two games left, against Clare and Waterford and we need two points to make the knock-out stages. It would be great to win tomorrow which would nicely set up the Waterford game in Birr in a week’s time.

“The selectors are putting together a good young team. The emphasis will be on ground hurling and with Brian and Simon Whelehan expected to be available for the championship, I expect Offaly to be back up there with the best of them.

“All we are looking for this season is honesty from every player. Any messing and you’re out. Our attitude now is to win every match in order to build confidence. Clare will be equally determined to secure the points and it should be a cracking match.

“If we do fail tomorrow the one thing we won’t do is panic. This season feels different. I don’t know why or what it is, but it’s different.”

Looking to the championship, Kelly has a fancy for Waterford: “It’s do or die for them. Like ourselves they are enjoying a good league campaign so far, and with Tony Browne and Ken McGrath on their way back, they look a good bet.”