Killeagh see the silver lining despite tough Division 1 outings

While Killeagh’s campaign in Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League has been a challenging one, manager Ger Scully feels that it will stand to his side come the championship.

With two of their nine games remaining, Killeagh are on two points, level with Fr O’Neill’s and with only Carrigtwohill in reach after wins for Blackrock and Glen Rovers against the bottom sides kept the city outfits safe.

On Thursday night, Killeagh briefly led at home to the Rockies thanks to a pair of early goals but there was no doubting the visitors’ superiority as they won by 1-30 to 2-15.

Though a return to Division 2 following last year’s promotion becomes a greater probability, Scully takes the view that exposure to the top premier senior clubs will prove an advantage by the time the Co-op SuperStores SAHC comes around in early August.

“What we're trying to do is build a squad,” he said.

“We're giving fellas lots of games, we're trying fellas out in different positions, so it's a learning process.

“Obviously, in Division 1, if you make a mistake, it’s punished. We were in the game early on and then we made one or two mistakes, drop ball, that's what happens at this level.

“You give fellas a free puck and they work it to the corner-back, wing-back, and work it up the field and they’re running at angles.

“But, look, it’s learning – we’re learning a lot and the lads are learning a lot. We’ve a few niggly injuries, so there’s other fellas coming in.

“You’re playing the best teams around. Blackrock are a good side, just Charleville, Sars, Midleton. We’re competitive in patches but we’re not sustaining it.”

Another factor to add to the difficulties encountered is that Killeagh’s coach is Waterford native James O’Connor. While there is no doubting the credentials of the Lismore man – who won an All-Ireland club title with Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny, as well as experiencing success in Cork with Carrigtwohill and Fr O’Neills – his commitments as Waterford U20 manager during the spring meant that his availability to Killeagh was limited.

Scully is delighted to have O’Connor now patrolling the sideline and expects further improvements as familiarity between coach and players grows.

“He’s an excellent coach and his knowledge is second to none,” he said.

“He has only been with us for the last three weeks and so guys are taking on board what he’s asking them to do.

“As well as that, we had Liam O’Reilly doing the S&C. Like I said, it’s nine weeks’ time we’re looking at.

“We’re doing a lot of running at the moment and that takes it out of the legs too but we have to get the body work done.

“We're nine weeks out from championship and we’ve lads to come back.

“By that stage, we’ll have a good base and fellas will be after being tested and we’ll know where they are.

“They’re learning all the time.”