Stay positive...or else how do you stay going?
FROM the early stages of the pandemic, I spoke about the importance of sport and how it plays such a huge part in all our lives. I’m aware, too, that there are times when it can feel insignificant in the greater scheme of things. So many have suffered losses over the Covid period – in terms of life, business and physical and mental health – but sport gives a sense of hope for those with a passion for it.
In the last few weeks, there was the horrific tragedy in Tullamore. Ashling Murphy’s life being taken so senselessly. She was a vibrant young camogie player, talented musician and teacher in the national school where I live. We saw from the outpouring of grief all around the country how much her death touched a nerve.
I have to say the week after her death was one of the toughest I ever put down.
The way the school and the children in Durrow responded was remarkable and really struck a chord with me. My two sons went to school in Durrow. Their mam died when they were just 11 and eight years old, and the way the school looked after them was so important. I went to the local vigil for Ashling and a lot of the same teachers were there.
Others have felt different degrees of loss this past two years. My own father lived a great life but died during Covid and we didn’t get to give him a traditional send-off to celebrate his life. All of those things are going on in the background of people’s lives. I run my own business and I am chair of the county board so you try to stay busy.
You can take a step back and say it’s all insignificant but you just try and do what you can. Stay going. May God help Ashling’s family as they try to find their way to do the same.
For me and many like me, sport is back, Covid is passing, restrictions have been lifted, and you have to look at life’s positives. Otherwise, how do you stay going?
I think we’re going to see a huge reaction on the ground with the return of the Allianz Leagues.
We’ve seen that already with Henry Shefflin taking over Galway and prompting ‘sold out’ notices. It was the same with Limerick versus Kerry in the Munster Hurling Cup, and again for the final last weekend between the All-Ireland champions and Clare.
Can anyone come near this Limerick team? After the All-Ireland final in 2020 against Waterford, when they weren’t going so well for a bit afterwards in the League, that emphatic win remained so fresh in my mind. If the 2021 final against
Cork isn’t fresh in everyone’s mind, it should be.
Richie English got Man of the Match in the final against Clare last weekend. A player who didn’t make the starting 15 in the All-Ireland final. Mike Casey was injured last year, he is another top defender.
The last time we saw this level of competition for places was with the great Kilkenny team when they ended up, at times, with multiple medal and award winners on their subs bench.
Just imagine those battles in training. How marking Kyle Hayes would push your game on. In age profile too, they are in such a strong position. John Kiely has that calm authority about him, while Paul Kinnerk is a leader on the coaching front.
The National League will mean different things to different teams. Limerick will certainly try to introduce a few new players up front, with Peter Casey suffering a cruciate injury in the final and keeping Graeme Mulcahy out last summer.
It’s been a long break in terms of county action so players will be hungry to play.
Look at Dublin, who have fielded strong teams in every Walsh Cup game.
A few new managers are in situ as well which will see new players given a chance – Colm Bonnar in Tipperary, Darragh Egan in Wexford, who has the likes of Billy Walsh and Gordon D’Arcy feeding in to the senior set-up. Brian Cody and Kilkenny will compete for everything in every match.
Championship will come very fast this year with the split season and a July All-Ireland. You only have this next few months to put shape on a team.
I’d say Kiely was happy enough to see Patrickswell’s season run its natural course to give key players like Cian Lynch a break. Otherwise they are on a continuous loop – look at TJ Reid and the Ballyhale lads still on the go.
Cork versus Clare is the first big match up next Saturday. Cork had a super year last year but ran into one of the truly great All-Ireland final performances.
Kieran Kingston will be wondering if he needs more physicality up front. Playing against giants of men in Limerick’s half-back line, how do you break it down?
Brian Lohan came in to a difficult environment in Clare but with the launch of a strategic plan and new people coming in at board level, there is a fresh air of positivity. And there have been glimpses, too, during his term of some very good hurling.
The pressure is on now to move forward. Peter Duggan is back but Tony Kelly is still recovering from ankle surgery – if there is still a huge reliance on him, it’s partly because he is so good.
Aron Shanaher is another with great potential. There is a spirit being rebuilt and I expect Clare to improve again this year.
It will be great to see the games, and the crowds, back in earnest.