Hurling manager feels better prepared
LOUTH hurlers also begin their league campaign this Sunday in Division 3A. They’ll be at home in Darver against Tyrone and manager Paul McCormack in his second season in charge, is certainly feeling better prepared in his role after an extensive look at the local scene.
‘Absolutely a bit more comfortable knowing the players a lot better,’ McCormack revealed.
‘Last season we were competitive enough in the league, we stayed up. As the championship came to us we definitely improved and we sort of ran out of games. We found ourselves on the wrong end of the playoff but we wet to all the club championship matches. Myself, and the selectors tried to identify players who we thought could add addition to the squad. We’ve freshened the squad up a bit.
‘We’ve added to the squad and some players back who were there in the past and the have trained well pre christmas. We were in a great competition in Ulster, the McGurk cup and then we played a number of challenge matches as well,’ McCormack continued.
‘So hopefully the preparations pay off for the lads, they put a good effort in and we’d be delighted to get off to a good start here now against Tyrone (Sunday).
One of the main strengths for McCormack is the mix of his squad
od balance of players coming back and a good mix of youth.
‘Shane Callan has come back and got himself in serious shape. Andrew Mackin has rejoined the panel there which has given us more options he’s a smart player and matured a bit.
‘Then we have some of the younger lads from Naomh Moninne and St. Fechins too. Thats added real bite to the squad in terms of competition for places so thats one of our strengths comp for places and old heads who has been about the block, advising and encouraging the younger fellas.’
McCormack’s side won only one game in the league last season against Lancashire and with the english side relegated does the Keady native feel the pressure to consolidate more so with the comfort blanket removed.
‘Always pressure,’ McCormack states.
‘Last year I didn’t look at that. I think every game is there to be won thats the mentality I am trying to instil into the lads. In this competition, we’re in 3A, on any given day any team can beat anybody else.
‘It is about who makes the least mistakes and takes their chances. so we’ll be looking at Tyrone first and foremost, get a good performance and the result will after itself.’