Offaly manager all set for 'absolutely cut-throat' Joe McDonagh Cup campaign

OFFALY senior hurling manager Johnny Kelly came up with a perfectly descriptive phrase when he used the words “absolutely cut-throat” to describe the impending Joe McDonagh Cup campaign.

Pipped by Carlow in agonising circumstances in last year's final, Offaly are desperate for a return to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship but face into a gruelling, energy sapping campaign that is full of potential pitfalls.

Laois is first up in Portlaoise next Sunday, followed by a home game against Westmeath and a trip to Navan for Meath on successive weeks. They then have a week off before welcoming Kerry to Tullamore, followed by Down in Ballycran a week later. There is a fortnight break after that until the final in Croke Park on June 8 and that is Offaly's target but with just the top two teams qualifying, the potential to fall short is very real.

On paper at least, Offaly look to have their two most difficult ones up first in Laois and Westmeath and these will make or break their campaign. “We have two absolutely huge games condensed into the first two weeks. It is absolutely cut-throat, compared to the football. It is all about hitting the ground running. A win in your first game puts you in a good position, a loss puts you under the pump,” Kelly said.

He is not looking beyond Sunday's trip to Portlaoise and, understandably, does not subscribe to any theory that Offaly can switch over to cruise control if the opening two rounds go according to plan. “Every team is capable of taking points off the opposition. Kerry are always dangerous when they get their game together. Down in Ballycran is always difficult. It is not that any team is more difficult but our only focus is on our first game v Laois and that is all we are thinking of.”

The Portumna man was happy to report an almost clean bill of health. “We had a number of niggles but they are seem to be resolving,” he smiled.

Dan Ravenhill got a hamstring strain for the U-20s but is back. His older brother Ross is also back in training after serious ankle surgery. He has done his own rehab and is playing some games in training. He may not feature yet with Kelly saying: “He had a substantial injury”.

Brian Duignan is back fully fit while two panel members, Kinnitty's Paddy Delaney and Birr's Morgan Watkins withdrew after the league. The manager accepted their decision. “That is inter-county hurling. There are quite a few sacrifices involved. The commitment and time it takes puts a strain on fellows. They stepped away for the right reasons.”

Offaly should be approaching the second tier championship in a confident frame of mind after a reasonably encouraging National Hurling League Division 1 campaign. They drew with Wexford and almost beat Clare, though Kelly sounded a note of caution.

“The league went reasonably okay but we got no win. By the time, we play the Joe McDonagh, the league will be four weeks over. It all depends on how we react to the break. Laois have gone really well in Division 2. They have a lot of really good players and are very strong. They were disappointed to lose their first game to Offaly last year and present a really stiff challenge.”

With so many games coming thick and fast, he is under no illusions about the things that can go wrong and the injuries that can rule key players out at inopportune moments.
“It is a really tough schedule. We have three games in quick succession. That is the nature of the split season. If things go well, great, but if you get injuries, you don't have much time. Particularly the injuries that heal within a week or two. Even a dead leg mightn't resolve in time for a player. You don't get much chance to recover quickly but I am happy with the panel we have and the options.”

He will be using members of the Offaly U-20 hurling squad in the campaign – Offaly will have Joe McDonagh Cup games played before they play a Leinster quarter-final on May 8 and it is only after this that the potential for conflict over the usage of players will arise.

Kelly, however, is very happy with the relationship he has with U-20 manager Leo O'Connor. “We have a good working relationship there. We released the players back to them after the Cork game (in the league) and they had their time together. Since the Galway (U20) game we have had them back in. We are working hand in hand. That is the way forward and it is very important it continues.”