Argideen Rangers embracing life in the deep end

The first weekend of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues is down, and for Argideen Rangers, Division 6 is already testing.

Last year's Division 7 title winners have stepped up a grade, but suffered an opening round defeat to Kildorrery.

The Carbery Junior A side are competing two rungs above their station in the league, but for Bill Fleming, that's exactly the point.

“The league [last year] was brilliant,” he begins. “We were playing Division 7 League, which we hadn't been up in before.

“We were playing teams of higher grades and things, and sure, we didn't know how we'd fare out, but it worked out very well for us. Playing hurling and football, it was difficult to keep it going with a small pick.

“It was unfortunate that our form just tailed off a bit at the wrong time. It's something we'll be looking at this year, hopefully, to change that.” 

Their football championship exit was premature, especially after winning a county league earlier in the season. But, balancing the dual act can be its own burden, especially for a club with a shallow pool.

“It’s very difficult,” Fleming explains. “It's very enjoyable because you're constantly going. There're games week on week. I think we're the next 18 weeks in a row now, and we've a small pick.

There'll probably be 12 or 13 of the base of the team will be covering both hurling and football.

“It is tough going, and when you pick up a couple of injuries and things, then it's very difficult. It's just about trying to manage it a small bit better, especially in the league.

“It's the same in the championship,” says Bill. “The championship is full on as well, so it's picking and choosing when to take time off and when to go harder on things.

“We'll see how it goes and of course it'll be difficult, but they're the games you want to play. You want to be playing teams two grades above your level and it can only help improve you, win or lose.” 

BENEFIT

The dual grind is eased, considerably, by what Argideen have built at underage with Barryroe through their amalgamation, Ibane Gaels. Combining forces has allowed both clubs to give their players fiercely competitive games, and Fleming feels Rangers have benefited immensely.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant for us as players,” Fleming begins. “You see there, even in the Cork U20s this year, there were a couple of Ibane players.

“The last couple of years, we've had players like Jack Lawton and Ryan O’Donovan [who] won All-Irelands at minor level.

“If we were playing by ourselves, we'd be playing C and D grades, 12 aside,” he says. “When you go up to play county league or to play junior football or premier junior hurling, you'd be way off the standard of other teams.

“Whereas, with Ibane Gaels, you're competing with the likes of Newcestown and Clonakilty and Bandon. You're getting good experience and you're playing at a decent level, so you're prepared when it comes to step up to adult level.” 

Amalgamated teams have attracted their critics and Ibane Gaels were one of those to come under fire last year. Winning games kicks up a fuss, but, Fleming feels, meaningful games trump any results at underage level.

“The results – come here – if you win, great. If you don't, that's not the be all and end all, especially at underage.

“People think that it's just focussing on improving the amalgamated teams, but it's really improving everyone around because it's creating more competition at a higher level.

If you look at west Cork U21 hurling, if Ibane weren't in it this year, there would only be two teams in it.

“The lack of competition then at the top level, we've been lucky enough, we've been in the last couple of U21 west Cork finals and we've only won one of them,” he says. “So you can't say that we're running away and winning everything because that's not the case.

“You're competing with the likes of Bantry and Newcestown and these teams and sure that's only bringing them on as well as it's bringing us on. So I think it's beneficial for everyone to be honest.”