Claude Gough hopeful that Ballyhea can make impact at senior A

The primary objective for new Ballyhea coach Claude Gough is first of all to qualify the Magpies for the knockout stages of the Co-op SuperStores SAHC – though he accepts that even that is a sizeable challenge in such an even grade.

Gough, who led his native Charleville to county IHC and SAHC victories across two spells in charge, was with Mallow last year, reaching the Premier IHC semi-finals. He comes in to a Ballyhea side that finished level on points with Killeagh and Inniscarra behind eventual winners Glen Rovers last year and is hopeful of building on the club’s potential.

“The key component for any management team now is to come out of your group,” he says.

“It’s like a two-tier championship; coming out of the group is the priority. After that, anything can happen.

““Results can sometimes overshadow good work – you can have fancied teams ending up in the relegation battle. It’s so tricky, because the championships are so even.

“If you’re any way off it or if you’re under-prepared, you’re in trouble.

“I feel that the challenge there will suit me and I’ve a couple of great people involved in the backroom.

“We’re hoping that we can add a bit more to where they were last year and, ultimately, it’s a matter of seeing where that goes – can you get a game or two behind you and get some momentum?”

Gough will have Ballyhea locals Ollie Morrissey, Jonathan O’Sullivan and Darren Ronan involved with him as they seek to negotiate a group featuring Castlelyons, Bishopstown and Inniscarra.

“Ballyhea have a very proud tradition,” he says, “and I know tradition doesn't win you anything but once people focus on what’s ahead, and we’ve three or four players to come back from nasty injuries, which will add to things.

“Ballyhea are really looking forward to it. We have a couple of young fellas coming in and a few lads that have put their hand up the last year or two.

“We just have to knuckle down now and work hard.”

While it is a demanding set of fixtures, he feels that all four will fancy their chances, not least with the Glen out of the picture.

“You look at results and championship winners over the past few years, there have always been teams that have come out of nowhere or just built a bit of momentum nicely in the league,” Gough says.

“In fairness, the Glen are the Glen, they were on a mission. Outside of your Bride Rovers, Castlelyons, Blarney – teams with stacked talent who have been in the semi-finals and final the last few years – the rest of the teams have a great opportunity.”

“Castlelyons, obviously, have a very good set-up and Noel Furlong has done a great job with them, they’re there and thereabouts, there’ll be no fear of that, but on a given day any team can be beaten.

“Bishopstown, down from premier senior – like the Glen last year, when you come down, the immediate thing is to try to get straight back up, but it’s difficult.

“They’re another proud and traditional club and they’ve had some good results at under-age the past number of years. We won’t be under any illusions that, just because they’re down, they’re any weaker.

“Inniscarra are a dual club, trying to balance things, and they’re another capable of making an impact if they get things right. They won the premier intermediate grade a couple of years ago, they built up a bit of momentum.”