Munich - Work Rate Key

Nearly three months on from our last tournament, we can be pleased with how we weathered the quiet summer months. Victories in Hurling and The Nations Cup combined well with the successful Intra-Club league and the only losses we have suffered are due to Brussels departures rather than dip in interest due to a lack of activity.

Those departures have left a hole as Hudson, Laffan and The Fridge were all part of the team that won down in Luxembourg back in June. Added to that, we will miss the influences of David Collins, Pearce and Olof who will also be marked absent. None of these have been sprung on us though so we have had time to consider the make-up of the panels for the weekend. In previous year's such a situation would have signalled a premature end to our tournament challenge because we simply could not have coped with such loses from a quality or numbers point of view.

We got cracking for Munich five weeks ago and discarded the fact our preparations would be heavily disrupted by the August holiday period. Control the controllable as Conor Counihan preaches, so we made out the plan and worked hard for the last few weeks. Fellas attitudes were top notch in fairness, even on the more difficult nights. In the last two weeks, we've started drilling it into lads how difficult it's going to be down in Munich. I'm certain The Hague have geared their whole season towards the next three tournaments and have to start as favourites to reclaim their title. Luxembourg also emerges out of Benelux and have gone from strength to strength in recent tournaments. They are just one breaking ball away from bulldozing their way into things.

The new boys come in the form of Guernsey, winners of the French region. By winning that, they would have overcome Paris more than once so that says it all about their pedigree. Credit to them for making the step up to Championship that many often decline. Then of course there is Paris. We know all about them so that challenge is a given.

For the last couple of sessions, I've beat the same drum. After such a great year so far, complacency is a dangerous side-effect that needs countering. The step up will be massive for both the Championship and the Shield. You couldn't fault the lads so far and they look like they are up for it. There were 28 at training last week and that naturally brings competition and helps keep the demons at bay.

We started the season with our 'no excuses' mantra and it must underline every thought from now on. We'll travel to Munich with 27 players. Whether we miss those absentees will be determined by what lads do on the pitch. Guys’ work rate, decision making and courage will determine the outcome on Saturday. We'll take the lead in games but also suffer patches where we are behind. There may be games that go down to the wire. You must think about how you will react in all these situations and be ready when you are faced with them. In reality it is simple, you hit the default button; work, work, work.