'We'd to get the fitness up, the strength up. The hurling is there, Inniscarra's a great club with huge tradition'

A good team performance saw Inniscarra get their Co-op Superstores Senior AHC off to a winning start at Mourneabbey on Saturday.

Having defeated Ballyhea in the group stages last year, they repeated that result with a 2-23 to 1-19 win, their second goal from Frank Horgan putting the result beyond doubt. Their manager Padraig Hughes, was delighted with his side’s efforts, but also very conscious of the tough games they still have in the group, starting with Bishopstown next.

“We're pretty delighted with the win, it was a very good performance overall and we can't fault the lads for their effort, their energy, and the commitment," said Hughes.

We're new to senior, it's only our second year up and we have a new management team. Last year we sat down and we said to ourselves we need to change it up this year.

“We had to get more professional about it, get the fitness up, get the strength up. The hurling is there, it's a great club with a huge tradition.

“We’re delighted that the lads showed up here today and look, we have few players missing tonight as well. So this team is going from strength to strength and we are looking forward to the next round against Bishopstown.”

When asked what he was particularly pleased with, Hughes added: “They showed great heart and spirit. We're getting used to the senior grades, so it's a little bit about you know, getting that steely toughness. That's something that we're learning on the job.

“It's a great learning experience for the team. They're a young team and I think the most satisfying aspect of the performance is the ability of the players to take the hits and to stand up when it matters.

SERIOUS

“We have had to make changes and we are missing a few players, with Liam Ryan in New Zealand and Sean Sheahan is out through injury.

“You know they are serious players. So we had a new half-back line there. But we know that Bishopstown will be another tough test, Ian Jones will have them well up for it.”

When it got tight in the second half the second goal proved crucial and they drove on to win.

“I think in some respects, you know the fitness level and the pace of this team is quite good. We've got a young forward line now that have come through in the recent years and their ability to turn and move is excellent.

“Those goals are part and parcel of the training session moves that Danny (O’Donoghue, coach) has since he's come in. The whole backroom team are doing a fantastic job. I mean, it's a team effort at the end of the day and the players have done their part as well here, so we can't ask any more.”

Looking at the Town... 

“They're a good team so we look forward to seeing them and we will take a look at them ahead of our game. 

They are senior for a reason and they'll want to prove themselves against us as well.

“So look, it's all a learning curve and the club has got great potential. There's a lot of young kids here in the club and at the end of the day, as we said to the lads, it's all about the kids looking up to. You and making sure we stay senior. That's exactly where we're going.”