McGrath backs Rebels to show metal

(JJ Hurley)

Seanie McGrath, who has returned to oversee Belgooly hurlers for a fourth term has given his thumbs up to Cork Bainisteoir, Pat Ryan, to lead the Rebels to the promised land in 2025.

The former All- Ireland winner was confident that the Sarsfield’s man has the credentials to get the best out of his charges as they look to go one step further this year.

‘I think Pat is doing more right than wrong, he’s an excellent manager and I was happy enough the last day against Waterford, it was a flat game but they had to rebound from a ferocious beating in the Gaelic grounds the week before,’ he said.

‘That isn’t easy, your energy and your mental approach can be very challenging, I think they competed really well.

‘I think Pat’s mind set is one game at a time and you can’t look too far ahead and you can’t be forecasting how things will go in Croke Pairc.

Reflecting on the upcoming game against Limerick in the Munster final on Saturday, McGrath, is keenly aware of the battle that awaits Cork.

‘They have a huge game on Saturday, I’d put the Munster title up there with winning an All-Ireland medal, obviously it’s ultimately about winning All-Ireland medals but we still haven’t won a Munster title in seven years,’ he said.

‘That would be a huge title to win, lay down a marker and add to the league medal, fellows coming into the All-Ireland series with a league medal and Munster medal in the back pocket would do wonders for player’s confidence.

‘So, I think Pat’s approach to this will be to give it a real rattle, be desperate competitive.’

McGrath does not accept that Cork should come into the contest with the mentality that the Rebels should be looking for anything but a win on Saturday.

‘You prepare to win, I’ve never been in a dressing room where the manager said a good performance will do,’ he said

‘Pat will be instilling that work rate goes through the roof, that Cork are manic on the ball and if that happens the game looks after itself.

‘We have the skill sets, we have the speed, we have the accuracy and once application is there everything should go right.

As for Cork lacking a toughness that other teams possess, McGrath doesn’t agree with that argument.

In response, McGrath jokingly remarked, ‘I am not best placed to make a comment on that argument because I never made a tackle in my life.’

‘I think there could be a perception out there but I think it’s false, what I like about our defence, particularly the last day, but also prior to the Limerick game, how fast we were off the blocks and typified by Sean O’ Donoghue.

‘His game is gone through the roof, he’s out in front and when he’s a yard off he’s getting the poke in at the right time.’

‘Rob Downey’s influence in the first half against Limerick was nowhere near his normal game because of his injury and he hadn’t trained much, having him there the next day will be huge.’ 

 Seanie McGrath sharing a joke with his Belgooly team after their recent victory over Coucey Rovers.