IT’S hard to believe that the intercounty hurling season is back around once more.
It only seems like yesterday that the small band of loyal Carlow supporters took the short ferry crossing from Strangford to Portaferry for what was to be a disappointing day.
That first game in last year’s league against Down was a template where a lack of consistency over the 70 minutes and in subsequent matches defined an entire season.
On Sunday, Down come to Dr Cullen Park. Every game is a must win in a five team division where the two top teams will play off for promotion to Division 1B.
All the talk is of a cracking Westmeath minor team last year and the Lake County’s good show in the Leinster senior championship.
“There is a lot of hype about them and they are creating a lot of hype themselves,” says Kevin Ryan. “They say they have 50 lads in and are obviously going to be a lot better. I know they beat us in the championship last year and things being right they would be in Division 3 this year,” he opined.
The manager has his homework done. Westmeath lost all their league games and Down finished above Carlow on points difference.
“We can’t look beyond Down.” “Because of the division that it is, the expectations are probably that it is a higher level than before. Having said that, I have no doubt that Westmeath, Kerry, Down all have the same thoughts that we have. Sure, they all expect to be in a league final and only two out of four can be in it. I think it is going to be very hard. We have the three of them in the first three games,” he pointed out.
Ironically, Mount Leinster Rangers’ success could have a negative impact on the county team where their club players have been unable to take any part in pre-season county training and conditioning programmes.
Ryan says he may have to remain loyal to the players who have played in the Walsh Cup and recent challenge games.
“Very few of them (Rangers) will feature in the first game. Maybe one or two. We will have to wait and see who is actually back at the weekend. We have played a lot of games with the same 19-20 lads. Good quality games in there against Waterford and Wexford. They have done enough to be in the starting 15 or thereabouts,” he predicted.
The Waterford-based manager is happy with the development of the players over the last number of years. He singled out Shane Kavanagh and Jack Kavanagh but he says there are others.
“We have a very light panel, physically, but all of them in the games against Wexford and Waterford were able for it. Martin Clowry and James O’Kane have brought physicality to the panel. I would be a little bit more optimistic playing stronger and tougher teams this year.”
So Down is first up. In the end, only one team will be promoted. There is no room for error. The manager knows this. “Ultimate success is getting to 1B hurling,” he states emphatically.