Dominic Foley on why Cork GAA must fast-track coach Jamie Kennedy to inter-county level

Charleville manager Dominic Foley has called on the Cork County Board to “wake up” and make sure they retain their top coaching talent.

While lauding their hurling coach James Kennedy as “second to none”, Foley couldn’t understand how Cork aren’t among those seeking to recruit him.

Having survived three relegation play-offs in the previous four years, Charleville secured their progression to the knockout stages with a game to spare for the second consecutive year under Foley and Kennedy.

“A little agenda for me, but the County Board needs to wake up and see what's going on in our club. It hasn't happened by accident,” said Foley.

“We've got a fella, James Kennedy, who is second to none. He is top class.

“There are teams and counties coming after him. Why aren't we looking to get him involved with our minors or U20s or even our senior team? He's that good.

Please start looking at him before someone else takes him.” 

The six-time Ireland international, who played Premier League football with Watford, credited Kennedy with orchestrating their match-winning bench impact against Douglas.

ELITE

“We have a guy with us, James Kennedy, our hurling coach, and when I say this, I've been lucky enough to be in a lot of professional dressing rooms in my years; this guy is professional level,” said Foley.

“We know from top to bottom what Douglas are going to do, what they're not going to do, and every player knows, when they come in, what job they have to do.

“So, a big shout out to him. And to the boys above in the County Board, come and have a look at him.” 

With their game level on 50 minutes, Charleville’s substitutes made the difference, scoring the final four points from play and winning two further pointed frees.

“It's massive. We have a slogan in our dressing room; no egos. One to 30, we're all the same,” said Foley.

“We know you cannot finish with the same 15 at this level, so we have starters and we have finishers. Look what our finishers did when they came on. They were immense.

“Rob (Carroll) got into pockets of space, two points. Jake (Madigan) ran, because he can run for Ireland. He scored when they were all tired. Gavin (Kelleher) was just class. You see the hit he took before he scored the point. That's a fit man as well.” 

Foley got as much joy from grinding out a 0-19 to 0-14 victory over Douglas as shocking the county champions in their group opener.

“We've set targets for ourselves after what we did last year. There's no point in just sitting on your laurels. I keep saying it, we want to be part of that top six. To be a part of that top six, you have to beat the best.

“Douglas gave us some game. 

I'm nearly more happy with this one than the Sars victory, because we weren't at our best, but we stuck at it and we dug it out.

“They didn't leave us play it to our normal style as well, so fair play to them.

“I can 100% say they were the best team we played in the league this year. Their striking to hand, their physicality, their work-rate, they were the best team we played, so we knew what we were coming up against. We're delighted.” 

Foley noted that captain Darragh Fitzgibbon was carrying a “little knock” but got through the 60 minutes unscathed, scoring 0-7 (two from play).