Clyda boss Walsh wary of Kiltane

John Walsh is your ordinary newspaper reader, his daily preference and perhaps the odd Sunday read are the height of his print interests.

Among the few titles scattered across his kitchen table in Mourneabbey, you’d be hard pressed to come across the Connaught Telegraph or Western People. And yet every night since the turn of Christmas, Walsh has been perched in front of the computer, trawling through the archives of said publications. Far from checking how cattle are trading in Ballina or which Fine Gael hopeful wishes to stand as Enda’s running mate in 2016, the Clyda Rovers manager has occupied himself studying every available match report involving tomorrow’s All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final opponents Kiltane in Ballinasloe (2pm).

Their run to the Mayo final provides uneasy reading, the county final triumph over Kilmaine not doing much to settle the stomach after dinner, while their march through Connacht is not advisable bedtime literature.

Clyda’s Munster final victory fell one week after Kiltane’s provincial success, ensuring neither mentors nor players were afforded the opportunity to view the Connacht kingpins.

“Unfortunately, they had the Connacht title wrapped up before we knew they would be our semi-final opposition,” laments Walsh.

“In saying that, we are aware of their strengths. Through the internet you can see how they went in other games, who played well, who their main scoring threats are. I have talked to people up there as well. We are aware that they are a serious threat. The bookies think likewise by making them favourites. I believe they have a couple of lads who have been drafted into the Mayo set-up which is a good sign from their side.

“Look it is a disadvantage we didn’t get to see them. Through the year we had seen our opposition in most games. We studied them all in detailed fashion. We saw all the Cork teams.

“Even in Munster we had a chance to see the Tipperary winners, Ballyporeen. Kiltane had the opportunity to get down to the Gaelic Grounds to see us in the Munster decider whereas we are going into this one in the dark.”

The Munster final win meant Walsh and his charges enjoyed a Christmas break free from the regret that accompanies a county final loss. Prior to 2013, four successive campaigns had been marred by inconsistency, mental brittleness and a failure to deliver when the occasion demanded. Indeed, when coach Timmy O’Callaghan stepped away at the end of 2012, Walsh was keen to draft in an individual who possessed the ability to turn the tide, someone who could correct the mindset of the Clyda Rovers players, someone who could drag this team, kicking and screaming, across the senior threshold. Step forward coach Ned English.

“The first thing Ned said when we approached him was that he had been following the team, he believed they were a senior team and he got players believing that straightaway. Ned has loads of experience and he has brought it all to the fore. One of his key strengths is that he is great at getting a player’s mindset right.

“People would have said we were weak psychologically having lost the three county finals, but Ned made sure that the strengths were only ever mentioned.

“He never mentioned the weaknesses and he really got the best out of the team from day one. He has been a huge help and was pivotal in getting us over the line and finally winning that county title.

“It was fantastic to have a Christmas where we were reflecting on victories and not the usual county final defeat. We enjoyed it, I won’t lie to you. We celebrated, but that has been parked now.

“It is a different goal, but a goal we know we won’t get to see for a long time. The lads won’t get this chance again in their lifetime so we are not going to throw that away.

“We are in real bonus territory and it is a new avenue we have travelled these past few months. It is an avenue we welcome, we have embraced it and are enjoying it.”