Coleman pleased with squad unity in Oscar Traynor return

By Gary Culbert

Despite falling to defeat in their Oscar Traynor Cup return, North Tipperary players proved that they belong at the top table and with a little more quality in the final third, could have had a statement win over Clare what they have been missing.

Having only had three hours together on the training field, expectations were not through the roof for the NT&DL’s first game together in over twenty years, but head coach Johnny Coleman was impressed with what he calls the non-negotiables: being confident in your own ability, fighting for each other, hard work and communication.

“For lads that usually kick lumps off each other on a Sunday, to see that togetherness from them when playing for their league was wonderful,” he said.

“It was a great buzz; the lads are buying into what we are trying to do and the professionalism that we are treating this tournament with.”

“We have four weeks to prepare for the next game now, so we definitely want to get some more sessions in and maybe a challenge game in the middle of it all to get a good proper look at all the lads.

“Yes, it is a challenge to compete, but it’s a good challenge and one that hopefully over time will become a regular thing for us. It’s brilliant for the league and there is a great buzz around the NT&DL right now: onwards and upwards”, he concluded.

Next up for the NT&DL is the Limerick Desmond League, with a large crowd expected to BT Harps FC in Templemore for the 7.45pm kick-off on Wednesday, 18th November.