Life Choices!!

In some ways training felt a little disappointing this week. We’d had our ‘rest’ week after the Belgian tournament when we just played games but this week we got back to into the harder work. We had +/- 16 both nights which in terms of recent numbers was disappointing. Myself and Colin recognise the irony in this though when we consider that, at times last year, we couldn’t hit double figures.

There were many legitimate reasons for the lower numbers with the likes of Hudson and Ruairi travelling, a host of the MEP assistants in Strasbourg and more guys injured etc. Still, to be floating around the 16 mark is very good and one of the main reasons for this is the influx of stagieres. The likes of Martin, Diarmuid and the two Shane’s have barely missed training since they arrived.

These guys would have being playing sport regularly at home in recent years and you can see the difference in their approach. Going training is a natural reflex for them and it’s one of their main considerations when they plan their week. In the past, we’ve not had such a large core of fellas like that, instead a larger portion of guys have had a more blasé approach to training.

When they move on in a couple of months, they will leave a void which won’t be easily filled. We have recruited guys like Brendan Lynch and Paul Gavin who fall into the same category in terms of commitment so that will go someway towards it. We’d be hoping a lot of the stagieres might look to stay on though.

I had lunch with Barry Cahill the other day and we were talking about what plans different lads had in terms of moving on. Barry dabbled in the football a couple of years ago but doesn’t play anymore. Still, he knows all the lads well. He was observing how much of an impact the GAA club has had on fellas and how it’s a serious part of their consideration when they are looking at their next career move. There is a bind which isn’t easily broken. Of course I agreed with him when he thought that might be a bit over the top, so as not to fall out over lunch. However, that’s exactly where I want fellas heads to be at!!

One ‘bird’ who will flee the nest soon is Maria Brosnan aka ‘The Bomber’. Her passport says Cork but she vehemently shouts for the green and gold. From tonight we will embark on an intensive two weeks of going away parties which if they are anything like her stay in Brussels, will be ‘noisy’ and rowdy! I’m sure she leaves with a heavy heart and we wouldn’t be surprised to see her back in Belgian colours in 2011.