Philosophy comes first for Midleton as they prepare for senior hurling league final against Sarsfields

For Midleton manager Padraig O’Shea, principles come first as his side prepare for their Division One final in the RedFM Senior Hurling League.

The manager is focusing solely on his own hurling philosophy, instead of the club’s unbeaten start to the season and the possibility of silverware before championship starts.

That is why Midleton’s recent 3-23 to 0-12 victory over Douglas was so pleasing for O’Shea, as their principles underlined a comprehensive win in the city.

Midleton controlled the game with ease and were unselfish in attack, and their reward was nine different players finding the target.

The result is Midleton’s eighth consecutive win, and a victory in their last game over Sarsfields will mean a perfect run this year in the league.

The record means very little to O’Shea, as he is focusing on the principles that have acted as the philosophical foundation for his panel this year.

“[We approached the Douglas game the] same as any other game, to be perfectly honest with you – there are a couple of things that we'll be working on in training, whether it's a league game or a championship game, whatever,” he explained.

“The principles are all the same. We have a couple of things that we're always trying to improve on. 

"Whether you're qualified for a league final or not, you're still playing quality of opposition every game no matter who it is.

“We have our principles, and we have things that we are always working on and that's what we'll be looking to improve on in the next game again.” 

What made things all the sweeter in Douglas was the nature of their panel as Midleton were down a number of players.

O’Shea had to do a minor reshuffle, while mainstays like Lehane delivered 2-6 in what turned out to be a routine victory on foreign soil.

“Everyone got a game - we were down a few bodies but in fairness the lads adapted well again” he said.

“It's kind of been a common trait throughout the league really. 

"The lads playing out of position in different positions but stuck to the same principles and hurled reasonably well again.

”We're probably fortunate as well that we are qualified because it's that time of year where you can see it, every team is down bodies,” he added.

“You'd be encouraging fellas to go on holidays before the championship. 

"They train hard all the year so we'd be encouraging them to get all that in before the business kicks off. You can see it, every team is down. Douglas were down bodies as well.

“You are kind of experimenting but at the same time fellas need to get their break as well.” 

Midleton have just one game left to play after they overcame Douglas, at home to Sarsfields at the end of June. 

A victory will mean a clean sweep for O’Shea and his players, a perfect nine for nine record.

No one in the panel is thinking about that, instead the focus is continuous improvement as championship looms.

“It's just another league game to be honest with you,” O’Shea explained.

“It's nice to be able to say that we won all the games but it wasn't the target at the start of the year. You're just going out as I said. 

"You've seen the things we've had to work on in every game. We're just looking for continuous improvement.”