Hurlers face stiff examination in the Gaelic Grounds
Barry and Culbert join O’Connor’s backroom team
THE Kerry senior hurlers will continue with the process of blooding new talent during this weekend’s Munster senior hurling league match with Limerick (Sunday, 2pm, the Gaelic Grounds).
Kerry boss Fintan O’Connor gave a number of young hurlers their first taste of senior inter-county hurling in last weekend’s defeat to Clare at Limerick Institute of Technology.
“The team we put out, probably had six or seven Under 21s against Clare and we were very happy with the effort,” he explained.
“I suppose the result probably didn’t reflect the effort level the lads put in, but there were a lot of pluses to take from it despite the score and despite the negativity about it from some quarters, but the people involved, not saying we’re over the moon or anything, we’re happy with the effort levels from everyone and that’s a positive going forward.”
Former All Ireland minor winning footballer – and Under 21 star in 2017 – Brandon Barrett from Causeway was one of those to make his senior hurling debut against the Banner.
“Brandon is definitely a plus and it’s real exciting to see the likes of Shane Conway and Niall O’Mahony and even Dougie Fitzell who wasn’t available last year, getting his first real competitive action of the year because he was carrying a knock since the hurling championship in Kerry. That was his first real game,” O’Connor continued.
“You had two of the full-back line Under 21, the half-back line, Jason Diggins, Under 21, the midfield I suppose Jack Goulding is Under 21, Shane Conway is Under 21, Brandon Barrett is an Under 21, Maurice O’Connor an Under 21 as well.”
It’s not just on the field that a process of renewal is taking place. O’Connor has used the winter months to rejig his backroom team too, with Clare native Brian Culbert coming on board as hurling coach.
“Brian has worked with the LIT freshers and helped out with their Fitzgibbon and was involved with Sixmilebridge over the last number of years as a coach and had a lot of success and came highly recommended. We’re delighted to have him as part of the back room team,” the Tipperary native confirmed.
Another addition to the backroom team is that of St Senans man John Barry, who will assume a lot of the responsibilities of former physical trainer Damian Ryall who’s had to step away from his role to focus on his studies.
“Damian has been unreal,” O’Connor stated.
“He’s given unreal service to Kerry hurling over the last number of years and the lads are very fond of him and couldn’t speak highly enough of him and I couldn’t speak highly enough of himself as well to be honest with you.
“[John Barry] has a couple of years done with the minor hurling team in Kerry and has worked with different teams and very well qualified and again has brought a huge amount of enthusiasm and freshness to the whole thing.
“The players are responding very well to what he’s been doing so far.”
So despite last weekend’s defeat the mood is good in the senior hurling set-up as they bid to face Limerick in what could be a testing and bruising encounter on the Ennis Road.
“We had two very tough games there last year as well,” the Kerry boss continued.
“One in the Munster Senior League and one in the league proper. We got a fair lesson in both of them. We’ll be going down with our eyes wide open and knowing it won’t get any easier this weekend from last weekend.
“We’ve Cork at home then and that won’t be any easier, but look they’re great games to get at this time of year.”