League gives opportunity to breed winning habits
It is definitely preparation for the main event. That means managers trying out new players and structures. It means new players getting a chance to make an impact. For some counties, it is the most realistic opportunity of silverware in a season.
Here are the thoughts of a newbie, a manager and a 10-year veteran.
Ray Ó Ceallaigh certainly has his timing right. Apart from a four-week spell two years ago, which he brought to a conclusion himself having failed to get any game-time, he is in his first stint with Waterford.
The 21-year-old An Rinn defender has made it count, playing throughout as Waterford followed up a semi-final defeat of Cork to win the McGrath Cup for only the second time with victory over UCC on Saturday night.
Ironically, the sports management and coaching student was only “tipping away” with IT Carlow’s second team but he has answered the call to join up with the Sigerson Cup squad in recent weeks.
That will make life a little more hectic for a while but it won’t be for long. There is no doubting his priority anyway.
“I got a call in (to Waterford) two years ago and I went training for only four or five weeks but it didn’t really work out for me. I wasn’t getting any games so I packed it in.
“I got a call for a challenge match against Wexford, well before Christmas. I went down and (manager, Tom McGlinchey) put out 15 players. I wasn’t starting again and I thought ‘Ah, not this craic again now. I’m supposed to be here for a trial but I’m sitting on the bench again.’ But I came on 10 minutes into the match and I got on a heap of ball. Every game since then I’ve been involved and it’s worked out from there.”
He notices the step up, feeling very tired after games. He had a bad headache for a while after the Cork win, such was the level of work and concentration. He knows that will improve in the coming months. He is joined by clubmates Tadhg Ó hUallacháin and Lorcán Ó Corraoin, while there is hope that long-serving former Railway Cup winner, Liam Ó Lonáin will return for another year and swell the Gaeltacht club’s ranks to four.
Ó Ceallaigh understands that people on the outside might question the desire to play football for Waterford, but the dream to wear the county jersey has always been there.
“We know realistically we’re not going to be winning All-Irelands or anything but we want to be playing every weekend.
“My dream at the moment is to play in Croke Park in a few months in the league final for Waterford. I’ve only been in Croke Park a few times. I’d love to be togging out there at least.”
It will be his first league so he isn’t sure what to expect. But he is steeling himself for the traditional Division 4 dogfight.
“I was at a lot of the league games last year and I’d say it’s another good step up from the McGrath Cup. I’d be hoping to get a bit of game time in that as well and take it from there. It’ll give you an idea of where you’re at. We have good momentum going and training is going well. We have Wicklow on January 31 in the first round of the league. That’s our aim. Win that game on January 31. I remember from last year, they lost games by two points or won by two points. They were all close games. It’s a very tight division. So if we have the momentum kept going, with the McGrath Cup under our belt, and we’ll get a good start, hopefully we can do it and hopefully I’ll be able to make a contribution to that.”
Like Waterford, Roscommon have pre-season silverware after winning the FBD League for the first time in 16 years. Galway were the victims in Sunday’s final, with Mayo accounted for a week earlier.
There is expectation that the Rossies will be real contenders in the Connacht championship this year.
This is based not on results of the last few weeks but the strong performances at minor and U21 level in recent years and the feeling that some very talented footballers of the ilk of Diarmuid Murtagh are ready to step up.
There is a sense too that John Evans is having an impact, as he has in all his postings. When it comes to the league though, the Kerryman is in no doubt that supporters are sensible.
“I think there was more expectation in the league last year than this year, in so far as we were expected to get out of Division 3 last year at least, and we did that comprehensively.
“This year, the expectation is realistic. If we can consolidate our position in Division 2, it would be a great year’s work because it’s so new and because there’s such competition there.
“We have four games away and three at home. We have Cavan, Meath and Galway at home. They’re three tough games to have at home. So we’re going to have to win points away somewhere to stay in Division 2.
“If you get five out of the six points at home, you’re doing exceptionally well so you must find two wins away somewhere.
“It’s the old cliché, in that winning games breeds confidence and confidence breeds winning games. You can’t have one without the other.
“If you can win a few games, gain a few points, it gives you huge momentum and momentum keeps you there.”
It is a delicate balancing act assimilating the younger generation and winning games. Donie Shine is due back from his cruciate knee ligament injury and hopefully Kevin Higgins will return during the spring after a cartilage operation. The league serves an important role for them too.
“You try and get injuries back, you try get experience into younger players and hopefully experienced players will stand up for you in the league. If you get those three combinations right, it sets you up for your championship team. With Tipperary we came up from Division 4 to Division 3 to Division 2 and we lost two or three games by a point. It’s a tight division. It’s always competitive and if you’re not at your best you’re going to get caught.”
He only turns 29 later this year but Padraig O’Neill is entering his 11th inter-county season at senior level. A member of Ireland’s international rules squad last year, the St Laurence’s club man remains as enthusiastic as ever about his involvement at the highest level. That applies to the league too. It has an important role to play.
“It is a different type of football than you would get in championship. We’d be the same as every team in Division 2. We’d be looking to get promoted, to win games. You always go out and try to win.
“We will be bedding in new lads too and you’re looking to see can you find a few fellas but you’re going out to win matches.
“You’re always aware there’s a bigger picture with the championship ahead. You’re trying out a few things, trying to improve on things. It’s a competitive match. In challenge matches, it’s hard but in a league match you get a better idea of whether lads are up to the standard. You have to work at it. It could take a few months and maybe you’ll never get it right!
“But it takes a good while. You have to work at it in training and then bring it into games, which is why the league is so beneficial.”
O’Neill got married last year and is one of only three married men of the Kildare squad. If selected, he intends to remain involved, for another few years at least. Like he says, there is no gun put to his head.
The league is part of that. Anyway, apart from three O’Byrne Cup medals, the Division 2 memento won in 2012 is all he has from his time in the white jersey, despite five consecutive All-Ireland quarter-finals and a semi-final. “It’s not a whole lot to show for it. There were a few years we weren’t too far away and a few small things went against us. We’re hoping to kick on this year. It’s not going to be easy but you always hope.
“Every team probably sees themselves as having a chance of getting promoted. Every game is going to be tough. There’s not going to be a lot in it. It’ll be good for the championship. You need tough, competitive matches. The first two matches are going to be important against Down and Meath. If we could get two wins it would set us up nicely for the rest of the league. If it goes the other way you’re looking over your shoulder and training will be harder as heads will be down. Wins early in the league feed confidence. Winning becomes a habit.”
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