Outgoing Duhallow Divisional senior hurling team manager delivers guidelines for 2017

IN a report to the Duhallow Convention on next Monday night, outgoing divisional senior hurling manager Denis Withers speaks of further progress during the past year that on the field in the County SHC yielded a win over Carrigdhoun to advance to the third round only to lose to Blackrock (twopoint margin ) and subsequently exiting the championship when narrowly defeated by Bishopstown with three points separating the sides.

“Overall, progress has been made over the past two years with Duhallow playing a total of six championship games, winning three games and losing three games (two of these games by three-point and two-point margins). This upturn has shown that Duhallow can compete and the potential is there for Duhallow to win a County but it will need a special effort and commitment by all stakeholders,” he said.

The 2016 Management team comprised manager – Denis Withers, coach – Donal Burke, selectors – Jim O’Sullivan, Tom Walsh and Pat O’Callaghan. Other backroom members were statistics John O’Flynn, team assistant Donal Mannix, medical/physio Dave Angland and Kieran Linehan.

Off the field, the panel were again extremely thankful for a very positive response from Duhallow businesses, supported by Burtons Kanturk (main sponsors) and other sponsors Dan Twomey Waterpower Engineering, John Cremin Dairy Services, Donie J Murphy Steelworks and Sean Kelly, Kelly Farm Modernisation Ballydesmond.

“All involved need to put forward some existing and additional constructive recommendations to help ensure Duhallow hurlers do make more progress going forward into 2017 and beyond to hopefully win county titles,” said the team manager.

Amongst the recommendations asked to be considered are

1. Management team should select a panel made up of committed players for a combined Duhallow Senior/U21 panel. During the year this panel will change as some players get injured, travel or as other club players show form.

2. Clubs buy in to ensuring the players are released to Duhallow hurling is vital and particularly dual code club players. Players’ availability for Duhallow training and challenge games can only happen with the full co-operation between club managements and Duhallow management.

3. A dedicated Duhallow hurling training night should be fixed for Monday nights and the Board, Clubs and players agreement to respect and support this Monday night request is very important with no fixtures/club challenges or clashes with same.

4. Regular communication and meetings with Club secretaries and team managers from the Duhallow hurling management team is important.

“Having completed my two year term as Duhallow Manager, I will not be involved in 2017 but wish the very best to the new management team involved going forward and with an extra push, Duhallow hurlers can challenge for major honours in the county,” said Withers.