No rest no problem for Noel
Tomorrow’s Division 1A opener in Ennis marks his fifth game in 13 days, with four of those games having come in the last eight days.
Twice with Waterford IT in midweek game, he played in Waterford’s challenge match against Wexford last Saturday before lining out for Munster in Armagh the day after. All going well with the college where he is studying a masters in business management, he will be guaranteed another two games in 24 hours should they beat Mary Immaculate College in Friday’s Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final in Galway.
A defeat in that game and he could yet line out for Munster in the Interprovincial final against Connacht on Sunday, although that clashes with the start of a week-long study break in Brussels.
“It’s a hectic schedule but that’s what you have to expect especially when you’re in college,” says Connors. “Touch wood, I can continue to do it because you’re enjoying it the whole time, playing with different people.
“You’re learning all the time so it’s not a chore. It might be if you were with the same team for that number of games but you have different set-ups and management so it keeps you fresh and motivated.”
Considering the back problems he had prior to last year’s Championship, it’s a gruelling time for Connors. He’s glad to say those troubles are behind him.
“I didn’t have any side effects when I came back in January. The body just needed a rest. I’m getting old now — I’m 22!” quips the genial Passage man. “I need to slow down a small bit.
“I didn’t get a rest for a long, long time and it was a question of something having to give and it was my back. But I’ve done good rehab, had good advisors and am feeling good.”
Tomorrow’s game is the second time in five days Connors and the other Waterford IT students on the panel are facing Davy Fitzgerald who was over Limerick IT in Wednesday’s Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final in Carriganore.
“It’s the third time including the Championship game last year and he knows the majority of us inside out. It’s only a small element, though. It’s all about the individual on the field. It’s about who has the most desire to win.”
It’s also a clash expected to be a helter-skelter affair, given it’s already been billed as a potential relegation final rehearsal.
Connors thinks that opinion is a little cruel on both teams given a ball has yet to be pucked in anger.
“It’s unfair because sport is difficult to predict, especially in a league when anything can happen. There’s more pulling and dragging than there is in summer hurling but it always goes back to that will to win.
“Two years ago, nobody thought Dublin were going to do as well as they did in the league. Build up a bit of momentum with a couple of wins and things can steamroll for a team.”
He does, however, have issue with the cut-throat nature of the six-team Division 1A, introduced last year.
“The one thing with the new structure is you no longer have more games and the chance to experiment.
“There’s now a small bit of pressure on teams not to put out young fellas because if you lose a game it’s even harder to give the young fellas their chance the next day because you need the points.
“It’s very difficult because you have a small group of good teams together and you’re trying to put out your strongest to match them.”
Although the Waterford Crystal campaign was a write-off, Michael Ryan’s approach is to win every game this season. “Nobody wants to go out and get beaten,” says Connors simply.
The 2010 All Star has also had to take more of a leading mantle since John Mullane and Stephen Molumphy stepped away from the panel.
He doesn’t shirk away from that fact. “This is my fifth season and Waterford are building now again so the likes of myself and Liam Lawlor are seeing we have to step up to the plate.
“It gives you that extra bit of drive and more of an onus on yourself to deliver.
“It does give you that hint of inspiration when people ask those sort of questions about leadership because it can only be a good thing.
“Many fellas could see it as a hindrance or hassle but the experience is such a valuable thing when you’re playing in big league and Championship games as much as being fit and hungry.”
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