Fr O'Neill's staying positive despite league struggles and lack of numbers at minor level

It's been a tough season so for Fr O’Neill’s manager Ray O’Neill as his panel has been stretched thin in the league. 

Following last week’s 2-15 to 0-18 defeat to Glen Rovers, with two games to go in the Red FM Division 1 HL, the East Cork side are most likely going to be relegated.

O’Neill is a realist as he reflected on the league campaign to date with concluding fixtures to come against the champions Sarsfield’s and Charleville.

“We have been tight on numbers as when you have a spate of injuries, it makes the panel tighter. Just looking, we used 29 players in the league last season and this season there will be five or six added to that number."

The O’Neill’s chief believes the season has more positives than negatives despite their league position.

“Not all performances have been poor, but the reality is that we have had some very good displays over the campaign but failed to get the all-important wins we badly needed."

Despite their league issues, he remains positive.

"Our position is what it is but to be fair we have had the opportunity to use many young players and that can only be good for the team going forward." 

The Fr O’Neill’s club has a magnificent facility at Aghavine with great work going on with the team and off the pitch.

“Over the years, the chairmen of both adult and juvenile clubs are both great guys with strong committees willing to work hard for teams at all levels.” 

The failure to field a standalone minor team last season was a shock to the system, with their players falling in with St Colman's.

“It was a major shock but look, as I said, it’s a numbers game and although having a minor team this season, it is 12-a-side for competition.

“The lack of the numbers will always be a test for us as we cannot match the conveyor belt of other clubs but every player that comes through from our juvenile level we do our level best to keep them playing.

“We cannot afford to lose bodies and the management groups encourage all to keep interested.” 

However, below minor, their numbers are relatively good at juvenile level.

“We are not struggling presently as our numbers in the Ladysbridge community are good and although Ballymacoda is smaller, our primary school has good numbers. It’s just from U17 to U19 that we are struggling.

To be playing Premier Senior Hurling and having no minor team is unheard of but hopefully the excuse that the Covid years hurt many clubs will soon level out.

“To be honest, I know from lads in other clubs that when Covid hit they stopped their involvement and never went back as they are probably happier having freedom to do what pleased them without having commitment to their clubs.” 

Although the league is very competitive, it takes its toll.

“For a small club like ours having three Cork players unavailable for the majority of the campaign is tough and as you have a lot of games from March until the end of June, it can be tough as some of our players are also playing football.

“Every game in the senior league is similar to championship hurling, particularly in Division 1, so for us having Declan Dalton, Ger Millerick and Paudie O’Sullivan available would bring so much to our panel.” 

The teams that join Fr O’Neill’s in their championship group are Glen Rovers, Kanturk and Blackrock but O’Neill knows his side have some work to do before August.

“It is a very tough group but let me add that all games are tough in the Cork Premier Senior Championship, as you have some very good sides in all the remaining groups.” 

On the inter-county front, Cork have been going well.

“I am impressed with Cork as we are relatively consistent and from what I have seen in Munster, Cork and Limerick are the serious frontrunners.

“When you see Kilkenny getting knocked out and All-Ireland champions Tipperary, it shows how things can turn very fast at that level.” 

Sunday’s Munster hurling final is too close to call.

“It will be a dogfight as the Cork and Limerick clashes have went to a completely new level as even GAA fans from around the country want to be at these games. I think no matter what the result on Sunday is there is every chance of them meeting again in the All-Ireland final.”