By Kieran Murphy

AS a holder of five county titles and one of Carlow’s greatest ever players it was a natural progression for Sean Kavanagh to get involved in coaching. Even though he retired in 2009, as far back as 2007 he led a Rathvilly minor team into a county final. While defeat was to be their lot, many of the same players, including Brendan Murphy, blossomed in the intervening years.
Both Victor Doyle and Kavanagh have been involved with senior sides for a number of years but in 2016 they have been assigned joint management duties with the senior team. Kavanagh says being successful as a player doesn’t assure success as a manager.
“It wouldn’t guarantee anything as you often see former players and it doesn’t guarantee they will be good coaches. It would have to be an advantage if you have been there as a player and it would help.”
In the meantime the dual management role is working.
“We are happy with the training. It seems to be going ok.”
Kavanagh says he wasn’t worried when Éire Óg beat Rathvilly by eight points in the league semi-final and then were outplayed in the first half of their second round championship game by the same opponents.
Rathvilly rallied but there was a question mark about their consistency.
“Championship is more intense and more to play for. The (league) scoreline flattered them that day. I would say we improved for the championship. League and championship are always different.”
He pointed out conditions played a huge part in the championship game.
“It was a very windy day. Straight down the field. I don’t think people realised how strong it was. It was straight down the field and had a huge bearing on tactics.”
With so much experience behind the former Carlow midfielder he knows exactly what an appearance at this stage of a championship means.
“A county final is always a huge game. At the start of the year every club’s aim is to win a county final and to get to a final is the last stage of that.”
Sometimes a final can pass a player by. Others will step up and make it a special day. Losing doesn’t bear thinking about.
“You would hope that in any final, players play to their potential. All you can ask for is that lads play to their best and then see where it takes you at the end of the day.
“I think losing is just fiercely disappointing. Winning is the bottom line.”