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WICKLOW SENIOR hurling manager Casey O'Brien says his side are as good as any other team they will face this year, and why shouldn't he say so? His charges were head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in Division 2B and they have nothing to fear.
Kildare are the side that stand in their way in the first round of the Christy Ring Cup on Saturday in Newbridge and having hurled for a year in the division above, you'd forgive the bookies for placing the home side as the favourites.
The Wicklow manager says the favourites tag means very little when it comes to sides like Wicklow and Kildare who are at similar stages of development.
“You can forget about favourites and underdogs this weekend, there's nothing between us and Kildare, we've beaten them before and we have nothing to fear, I don't go along with this idea of they're in a division above and all that nonsense, it could go either way,” suggested O'Brien
Wicklow had a brilliant year with the small ball game and Casey said the Division 2B title came from hard work and belief.
“We look at the likes of Carlow, Kildare, Kerry, teams we've beaten before and we take heart in that and we know if we work hard we'll reach those heights too and we are reaching for those heights, we are working that hard and we have the young gifted hurlers to go along with it,” insisted O'Brien.
While all managers will insist no game is ever won easy there can be no denying that Wicklow were streets ahead in some of the games this year, the likes of Fingal where the margin of victory was that of a cricket nature. However, Casey O'Brien says in games like that different goals and targets have to be set.
“Well, when we know we have a game where that's probably going to be the case you have to set up as normal and play as well and work as hard as any other opponents but if we realise early on that the game is going our way you've got to set other targets and other goals. Against Fingal we had to rack up a good score in case of other results and we did,” said Casey
Ahead of the Kildare clash there are no injury worries with all those involved fully committed at this stage. There is one absentee though who Casey says will be a big loss.
“Christy is suspended, Christy Moorehouse, and he's a big loss, but his loss gives someone else a chance to get in and try and hold a place on the team and that's vitally important, lads need to know that if they drop the ball that someone is looking to take their place that's keeps everyone fresh,” suggests O'Brien.
Wicklow hurling is in a good place though according to the manager and he insists the young hurlers on the panel are a sign of the good work that is being done.
“There are great strides being made in Wicklow hurling at present, it's great to see and the proof is there again that hard work reaps rewards, we are heading in the right direction and the more young people that are taking up hurling, the better for our county,” said O'Brien.