Furey fired up for the year ahead
Éire Óg and Carlow goalkeeper Johnny Furey Photo: ©INPHO/Ashley Cahill
Shane Curran the newly appointed Carlow senior football manager is making his mark.
So says the Éire Óg and Carlow senior football panellist, Johnny Furey, as the team look forward to their opening National Football League Division 4 game against Tipperary on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park.
“He is after getting a right good kick out of us. He is very enthusiastic, full of energy. You can see that with everything. As soon as he comes into the room, he brings a bit of an aura. It is rubbing off the lads,” claims Furey who goes on to say optimism, is dripping off the panel.
“There is good vibes there. There is an energy in place which is unusual as we are generally a little bit behind at this time of year. Everything is positive and I would be very hopeful we can get out of division 4.”
Does this mean the players are getting away with murder and are doing what they like? Furey has a good laugh at that suggestion.
“I wouldn’t mess with him anyway. He is a big man. He can be strict when he needs to be and can have the craic when it is time to have the craic. It is a good balance. He has to be respected and that is what you need,” is the goalkeeper’s response.
The players have got over the first couple of months well.
“It is the first time in my life I have seen 39 lads training and no injuries. The strength and conditioning and physios have been top class. It is a big head scratcher. We have no idea what the team will be next week. There is heavy competition there,” notes the Éire Óg man.
The new rules could be an issue though. Furey says he has been left wondering at some of the interpretations. Without the early season tournament games such as the FBD and O’Byrne Cups, the new rules have not been tested at a competitive level. Furey is concerned.
“In the few friendlies we had, everyone was scratching their heads. I feel sorry for the referees to be honest. They will be under a lot of pressure. They will have a short time to get it right. They need more support on the line. I think they need the fourth official to implement the three-player rule. They won’t be able to see everything,” he suggests.
For once the referees have the sympathies of the players. Well, the sympathy of Furey at least.
“It is a hard-enough job as it is. I wouldn’t do it for diamonds. There is extra pressure on them now. It is not right. Especially when it is up in the air re the technicalities. No-one is getting clear answers. That is the frustrating parts. Everyone is in limbo. One interpretation for one referee could be different to another,” points out Furey.
So the gloves are coming off now at the weekend. It is often been said Division 4 is the most competitive of all the groups. Initially, promotion is within every teams line of vision. Any of the teams in division four can beat the other on the day.
“The first game is vital. Getting two points from the first game. A good start in division 4 is half the battle. We are not looking past Tipperary. We are all about trying to beat Tipperary first. That is the main thing. A good start sets the standard high. It is all about driving on then and building momentum.
Wexford lost two games last year and didn’t go up. Points difference got them.
“It is all on the day. A rub of the green. Especially with the new rules, you never know what could happen. It might suit a weaker county and not suit some of the big guns. It is all on the day,” predicts Furey.
Sat 25 Jan Home to Tipperary, 6pm
Sat 1 Feb Away to Waterford in Fraher Field, Dungarvan, 6pm
Sat 15 Feb Away to Wexford in Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7pm
Sat 22 Feb Home v Limerick, 6pm
Sun 2 Mar Away to Wicklow in Echelon Park, Aughrim, 2pm
Sat 15 Mar Home to Longford, 5pm
Sun 23 Mar Away to London in McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm
