The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Brosnan steps down as IT Tralee manager after three years
LIAM Brosnan was relieved to have players back for an absolutely must-win game, with the loser relegated to the Trench Cup next year.
While he had been disappointed with last week’s loss to IT Carlow, the odds had been stacked against his side and the Tralee manager is one voice among many pointing to the overwhelming glut of fixtures on talented young players at this time of year.
“Overall, I was very pleased with how we played today,” explained Liam.
“We made a better start and kept it ticking over. Cathal Ferriter brought a new energy to the defence and James Duggan, who had been our fourth choice keeper last week when we were down to the bare bones, had a great first half and was able to do some great work in tracking back to help out the defence as well as attacking. Having Conor Hurley back gave the defence a lot of confidence.
“Tony Brosnan was in top form today along with Barry John
Keane. It could have been all over when we went in ahead by 1-10 to 0-5, but Athlone deserve great credit for sticking to it. We lost two players to black cards late on again but this time the lads showed that they had learned from last week’s experience.
“This time we got bodies behind the ball and closed out the overlap, we didn’t move forward too fast, while leaving gaps behind us and it paid of as we were able to see it out.”
Liam isn’t complaining about anything on his own behalf, but he sees the glut of competitions at this time as simply impossible to manage properly, most especially for the young players expected to play in them.
“You have McGrath Cup, Under 20 League, club championships, and a lot of those players also expected to play Sigerson. Diarmuid O’Connor was lining out for UCC today, one week before he plays in an All Ireland Club Final.
“Even without all those things, David Clifford, Mikey Potts, Dara Moynihan, and Gavin Crowley were all playing with Kerry yesterday. The universities with 15 or 20,000 students can get by while missing so many players, but we can’t.
“It’s totally unfair on the players especially and it’s something that really needs to be looked at.”
While Liam isn’t only thinking of himself, it won’t be a problem for him personally next year. After three good years at the helm of IT Tralee, the Currow man is calling itaday.
“I feel that we have taken it as far as we can. It’s been a great run and I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve had a great time with all the lads and with the college, but I think it’s time for someone else to step in.
“Eoin O’Shea and Clive O’Callaghan have been with me right from the start. This year we brought in Aidan [O’Mahony] and Kieran [Donaghy] and they brought massive energy into the set-up.
“When we first came in, IT Tralee hadn’t won a game in the competition for fourteen years, so I think that the college have made great progress in the past while and hopefully they can build on that.”