TOM KENNY CAN appreciate the curious and unique scenario he faces.
For most managers after a victory in a county hurling quarter-final, there would be a focus on training ground work and an examination of any shortcomings ahead of the upcoming semi-final.
It’s a different experience for the two-time All-Ireland winner and the UCC team he has helped guide to the last four of the Cork senior title race.
The striking dynamic at play impacts on Kenny’s plans after last night’s win over Na Piarsaigh and ahead of their semi-final with Blackrock.
“I’d like to say we’ve things to work on but it’ll probably be in the next game before we do that. It’s fine. Let’s be honest, we don’t train and we can’t train.
“We’ll meet up, pick our panel and go from there. They’re with their clubs and things like that. We don’t go back to the training ground on Tuesday night and try to work on things. It’s still enjoyable. The only thing we want from the lads when they come is to give it everything, not to go through the motions.”
Kenny pays tribute to the commitment displayed by his players. The debate over UCC’s participation flares up in seasons like this, the current bunch are largely spearheaded by Cork players with Kerry, Tipperary, Limerick and Waterford representatives also in their starting side last night.
15 years ago Kenny was on a team that shocked the then reigning champions Na Piarsaigh. He operated in a different position last night and praised those who had turned out, particularly with some having faced a championship encounter the night before.
Limerick’s Paddy O’Loughlin had lost a county senior semi-final with Kilmallock at the Gaelic Grounds but was back manning the central defensive berth in Páirc Uí Rinn.
“At the start of the game you could see the lads were a bit leggy who had games. That’s fully understandable. We were just hoping they’d get through the game as best they could and they did.
“You could see it in Paddy as well, his mind was probably still back up in Limerick in that game last night. The best thing to shake off a game like that is another game. Once he got in and got it out of his system, he’d a fantastic game for us there. The Blarney lads probably had a great bounce in the manner that they won last night.
“All over the years we see who we have the weekend before, see who’s playing games and formulate a plan from there. Who’s coming? Who’s travelling? Who can make it? If a fella has a game on a Sunday, be it in Cork or wherever in the country, we’re not going to put too much pressure on him to line out again. We have a lot of Cork representation this year, probably more than other years, which is great and that’s what we set out to do at the start of the year with the whole Covid issue.
“It’s anyone’s championship now with Imokilly gone but we’ve a formidable challenge next against the Rockies.”
Kenny will assess again next week who he can utilise. Waterford senior Neil Montgomery was tied up at the weekend with football duties for Ballinacourty. There will be seven of his players in opposition this Saturday in a Cork premier intermediate semi-final between Blarney and Carrigaline.
The final 90seconds that won us the game tonight! @popcrowleypop had absolutely no right to take the shot on but thank God he did! pic.twitter.com/5vN7kOBVAQ
— BlarneyGAA (@BlarneyGAA) September 12, 2020
Before then Kenny will see another role step up in intensity. He’s part of the Cork minor hurling brains trust, fronted by manager Donal Óg Cusack and with another All-Ireland winning compatriot involved as well in Seán Óg Ó hAilpín.
Inter-county training finally gets the green light to resume this week.
“We’re due back training this week, what shape that’ll be with dressing rooms and things like that we don’t know. I think it’s four weeks to our championship game so we’ll have a few sessions, a few games and try to get the lads back in together and doing their thing.
“It’s probably going to be awkward if you’re togging out in the stand. That’s tough, especially going into the winter months. But looking forward to it, we’ll see how it goes. It’s going to be a different style of championship than the height of the summer, playing away in mucky conditions in October.”
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Just get Crowley back, he hasn’t played since September and during the RWC got maybe 70mins total ?
@Owen ODonoghue: you don’t think he needs a mental break after the World Cup? What about his training load since pre season? It’s not just about game time.
@Pierce O’Hehir: Reckon if you asked him he’d prefer to play….
@Owen ODonoghue: long season ahead.
@Owen ODonoghue: could not agree more. Carbery has already probably more minutes this season. It’s completely insane. He’s played 30 mins since Sept 23rd. He’s 22. Get him playing.
Give Butler game time. No harm. We know what we get with RS, who is not a long-term option at 10, and I’d hate to lose Frisch’s ability at 13 where he is first choice. If Carbery is injured, then why wouldn’t we give youth a chance?
@Brenda Collins: Something tells me there are going to be more competitive matches in the URC this year- not many occasions to give some young lad a ‘run’, especially as you’re champions with a target on your backs in every game.
@Brenda Collins: agree completely Brenda
@Brenda Collins: Butler looks like a decent player, obviously green but with a nice touch and not afraid to attack the line, hope in a situation like this they back him.
please play Daly at 13, thank you.
There needs to be some sort of loan system introduced between provinces. Someone like Charlie Tector at Leinster is going to be very limited in terms of playing time, while Munster will struggle during the six nations should Carbery rediscover his best form and get selected along with Crowley
@philip kelly: I don’t think Munster will have to worry about having two Out Halves away during the 6N.
@David Finn: what if both are unavailable for selection?
@David Finn: Why not?
@David Finn: I’d imagine it’s a distinct possibility. If joey is going well it’d be very easy to see him bypass Ross byrne
@munsterman: or Ross Byrne could be injured at 6 nations time. Could mean Carbery and Crowley both in the Ireland camp. Or R Byrne could stay fit but one of the two Munster flyhalfs is injured with the other in Ireland camp. Unless there’s a surprise pick (Carty, Burns comeback, one of the younger flyhalfs selected) it looks like any injury at flyhalf and Munster are out of specialists in that position.
@Kevin Volf: it’d be nice to still have Ben healy
@munsterman: Or Flannery.