Pairc Uí Chaoimh is the ambition of this Duhallow manager
A goal of reaching a county final in Pairc Uí Chaoimh is the ambition of Duhallow football manager Padraig Kearns in the aftermath of his charges brushing aside the weak challenge of Muskerry in the opening hurdle to the County SFC.
For a divisional side, that may be a tall order given a glut of complicated fixtures that will be unfold and see players criss cross to accommodate club, division and maybe county teams over the months ahead.
In doing so, Kearns is challenging his charges of pushing on yet he is well aware of the frustrations voiced in Muskerry on the fixture schedule that saw their starting line up decimated.
“Last season, we enjoyed a great run, recording terrific victories only to come up against Avondhu in a quarter-final on a Tuesday night, just a few days after our clubs had been involved in crunch championships. Illness and knocks affected us, we just didn’t perform against Avondhu and we were clearly second best on that occasion,” he said.
“Though disappointed, we had a base to work for this season and are capable of learning from defeats yet for divisions, this championship has come too early with little collective preparation. The weather hindered us getting off the ground, divisional teams are relying on the goodwill of clubs for training.”
Personnel wise, Kearns lost the services of Kiskeam involvement owing to their triumphant run in the Premier IFC and elevation to senior ranks, but the Kanturk native is encouraged on new recruits.
“The Kiskeam players were never found wanting on delivering fantastic commitment to the division, they’ve moved on and it has allowed us to bring exciting new talent such as Aidan Browne, Paul Walsh and Shane Hickey. A stipulation sees us restricted to naming 30 players but they are others capable of pushing for places,” he said.
“Realistically, it could be another month before the players will convene again, we’ve potential and maybe with a bit of luck, we could progress further than last season,” said Kearns.
Meanwhile Muskerry selector John O’Callaghan promised a response when they get the opportunity to atone for a below par performance, venting his frustration at the schedule.
“We sat down and picked a team last Wednesday night, its much different to the one fielded on seven changes. They are simply too many club games before the divisional team plays, the players incurred injuries, the County Board must look at the fixtures,” he said.
“Though Duhallow took their foot off the pedal, we put in a better show in the second half. We need to regroup, sit down with the board and players to plan ahead for the next round against a club side in Clonakilty or Carbery Rangers.”