Air of optimism that change is on the way for club players

Hope. Lots of hope. Páirc Uí Rinn was awash with it on Monday evening last.

There was a county championship to be launched and so managers and players from the 26 senior football clubs had gathered upstairs in the main pavilion. Also knocking about the place was the piece of silverware — the Andy Scannell Cup — they’re all hoping to take ownership of.

There was a good scattering too of local journalists, each seeking a private word with the main runners and riders. No one was giving too much away, though, as you’d expect. Castlehaven were bigging up the reigning champions over the road in Rosscarbery. The holders, to no surprise, quickly returned the compliment.