NHL Preview: Harnedy pleased with new back room team

NEW Cork captain Séamus Harnedy believes that the appointment of John Meyler as the county’s coach will ensure a sense of evolution rather than revolution.

Meyler takes charge of Cork in the league for the first time against Kilkenny on Saturday night in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm). The Wexford native takes over from Kieran Kingston having been a selector last year as well as managing the Under 21 side, something Harnedy feels is a real positive.

“John had a lot of experience with the Under 21s and they all looked up to him,” he says.

“In the Under 21 final last year, they lost by a few points and a few things didn’t go their way. They have a great bond with John and we all dealt with him last year in his selector role.

“He’s seen all of us and that’s definitely an advantage. It was vital that we had some continuity from last year and I think we have that with John. There are others there, like Donal O’Mahony, who have had a lot of experience with the panel too.”

Also part of the set-up is Kieran ‘Fraggie’ Murphy, who comes in for praise from Harnedy.

“Absolutely, Kieran is outstanding,” he says.

“He’s very much in check with the modern game and that’s echoed in the training. He’s a brilliant addition to have on board and his CV speaks for itself. He has won numerous counties with Sars and has won All-Irelands with Cork.

“He’s a very intelligent guy, as a player whenever he got the ball he used it very well. He’s a great guy to have on board and is someone who can relate to a young squad as well. We’re certainly getting on well with him so far.”

With previous incumbent Stephen McDonnell having stepped away from the panel, new boss John Meyler has appointed St Ita’s man Harnedy as skipper. He’s looking forward to it, but won’t try to be overawed.

“It’s a nice honour to have bestowed upon me,’ he says.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be captain for the coming year. I’m only one of 15 or one of 30, 35, so I’m going to keep the same approach as previous years, keep training hard, keep to myself. If I can help lads out where I can, or give assistance to a younger member of the panel or whatnot, I will, but overall I’ll still the same player.

“The 27th isn’t very far away now, it always sneaks up on us. With Kilkenny in town, it’s a chance for people to come out and see a good game in one of the best stadiums in the country.

“You know what Kilkenny will bring, it’ll be a ferocious battle and if you aren’t up for it, you know they’ll hurt you. It’s something we’re looking forward to.”

After a good 2017 campaign,

Cork are hoping to build on that this year. Harnedy knows that brings expectations too, though, and hopes that any new additions can emulate the impression made by last year’s intake.

“We are still a young squad and with a few new additions to the panel this year there is another different dynamic, a lot of the lads are playing

Fitzgibbon Cup,” he says.

“Us experienced players are going to have to step up to the mark, but a lot of the young lads have been involved already and made serious strides.

“There’s a nice blend there going forward. The young lads put their hands up straight away, they weren’t fazed last year, they got into the squad and put their best foot forward. That’s all you want as a new player coming into the squad, to come in and express yourself.

“The lads who came in last year did that and the advice to the new players this year would be to try to emulate that.”