Cloughduv looking to rise again following relegation: 'The lads are enjoying their hurling'

Relegation wasn’t on anyone's agenda out in Cloughduv last year, but when it did happen, they didn’t feel sorry for themselves.

Three years ago, the Muskerry club were in the final of the Co-Op SuperStores IAHC. They lost that to Dungourney, but worse again, they lost the relegation play-off to Aghada last season.

Cloughduv have a homegrown management team in their bid to climb the ladder again. Tim Barry-Murphy is the manager, Pat Dunlea is the coach with Donie O’Leary and Derry Keane selectors.

Cloughduv start their Co-Op SuperStores Premier JHC season tomorrow against Nemo Rangers in Ballyanly at 1.30pm with Kilbrittain and Barryroe also in their group.

“It was very disappointing for the club to get relegated last year, it was a step we didn’t want to take,” Barry-Murphy says.

“We met before Christmas with the lads, had a really good chat and the main point was that we can’t change 2024, it’s done and dusted. You can’t change the past. It's up to us now to drive it on again.

“As a new management team, we have set new standards and new rules for the group and got things going again. There has been a great response from the players.” 

For some outsiders, demotion last year for Cloughduv didn’t come as a huge surprise. After all, since going so close to winning the county in 2022, there had been regression.

“I know a lot of clubs saw players leave over the last few years after the pandemic,” the new Cloughduv boss said.

“But we certainly were hit hard. We lost about seven or eight from the starting team that played Dungourney in the Intermediate A final in 2022. It was a big hole to try and fill. The previous management were trying to bring in younger players and maybe they weren’t up to it at the time.

“Emigration has been a big part of why Cloughduv have struggled in recent campaigns. There have been other things too, but the lads have taken all the negatives on board and have come back very strong.” 

Playing in the RedFM Division 4 Hurling League would have brought Cloughduv on a ton, finishing mid-table this year with eight points from the nine games. Some notable victories included wins away to Senior A sides Inniscarra and Watergrasshill.

The main objective for this season for them is clear.

“There’s great competition for places and the lads are enjoying their hurling,” Barry-Murphy states.

“I think that’s the main thing you must have because if the players aren’t enjoying it, they won’t be coming to training and matches. The lads are happy with how its going, that’s the feedback I am getting from them.

“Balancing the dual aspect is going well too. We have a great relationship with Kilmurry and Canovee in terms of managing the players. That helps because you can’t have players out five nights of the week. We are eager to get the championship underway.”