Fr O'Neill's boss Ray O'Neill on his grá for hurling and competing at top level in Cork
Fr O'Neill's manager Ray O'Neill. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
East Cork hurling is now top of the tree, with a host of brilliant clubs across all the grades.
In the Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge area, Fr O’Neill’s are a quality club with talented hurlers.
O’Neill’s were founded in 1959 and the club participates in many grades from underage to senior level.
This season Ray O’Neill, who has been involved with the club as a player for many years has taken over as manager of the senior hurling team as he reflected on his time with the club.
“I played with the club since I was old enough to kick a ball or hold a hurley and I was lucky enough to be involved with the team that won our first East Cork hurling championship under Glen Rovers legend Denis Coughlan,” O’Neill said.
That was the first of many successes for the club as they followed it up by winning Junior county titles. And the club continued their rise through the grades.
“I loved the sport so much that I played into my forties but all good things come to an end and now I am trying to give something back for the years of enjoyment they gave me,” added Ray.
Before taking the Senior job this season Ray worked with former managers Noel Furlong and Brian Sweeney in 2014 and 2015 but in the back of his mind, he always wanted to have a shot of managing the Senior team.
“I was also involved with Noel Furlong at Cork level but I also coached underage teams in the club so you could say I was well prepared before taking the big step.”
When you take a job of this magnitude with any Senior club there is always expectations, but the new manager has his own goals.
“Hopefully I can build on the progress of previous years as all our managers were committed to the job but for me it’s about getting the younger guys up to speed that will be my major priority.
“We have a very good group of players who have been successful in previous years and I think getting the younger lads to the next level will be key to us going forward.”
The senior hurling league is a good stepping-stone to the championship and O’Neill is pleased with the progress of his team as they build for the championship.
“We have won two, lost two and drawn one and to be honest for a new management team coming in the league is very important to us it gauges where you are at when blooding young players.”
The two Fr O’Neill’s Cork panelists Declan Dalton and Ger Millerick are naturally not available for the league campaign but in the words of O’Neill it gives other players a chance to step up.
“When you have a small panel and are missing players like Declan and Ger you are bound to be weakened but all the other clubs are in the same boat with Cork players.
”May I add both these lads are absolutely steeped in Fr O’Neill’s as when they are free they will be around watching and encouraging the lads at training.”
East Cork is a hotbed for hurling as surrounding O’Neill’s you have clubs like Russell Rovers, St Ita’s and Killeagh all in close proximity so numbers is never going to be large.
In the forthcoming Senior championship Fr O’Neill’s have been drawn against Sarsfield’s, Glen Rovers and Erin’s Own and the new manager knows it will a tough task for his club to get out of this group.
“On the other side of the coin if you had Midleton, Blackrock, Newtownshandrum and Charleville you would still be scratching your head as they all possess quality players.”
The opening game against Sars will be huge according to the Fr O’Neill’s chief.
“When you are facing a team that reached the All-Ireland Senior club final in your opening game you need to be at your best and then it’s Glen Rovers who have a very good team helped by the recent addition of Michael Mullins.
“Erin’s Own will always be competitive with a huge tradition and a number of players who played with Cork at U20 level this season, so it really is going be three very difficult games.”
The new format has impressed O’Neill but emphasized the importance of winning your first game.
Despite the tough draw Ray O’Neill is really excited about the championship.
“If you couldn’t be fired up for these games you are involved in the wrong sport and hopefully we will be competitive in all our championship games.”
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