Hurling & Camogie

Gareth O'Kane is happy to be home and helping Derry hurling

Gareth O'Kane celebrates his last gasp goal for Slaughtneil in the 2014 Derry SHC final against Kevin Lynch's  
Gareth O'Kane celebrates his last gasp goal for Slaughtneil in the 2014 Derry SHC final against Kevin Lynch's   Gareth O'Kane celebrates his last gasp goal for Slaughtneil in the 2014 Derry SHC final against Kevin Lynch's  

FARMING life in Narembeen is a long way from his home soil in Gortinure, but the time spent in exile in Australia didn't quash Gareth O'Kane's love for hurling.

The Slaughtneil and Derry forward will embark on a different adventure this weekend as Derry tiptoe their way into this season's Christy Ring Cup. The 29-year-old health and  safety officer made his debut 10 years ago, when Sean E McCloskey handed him the number 24 jersey in different surroundings than most.

It was the away dressing room of Gaelic Park in the Bronx in the 2006 Ulster Championship and, later in the afternoon, O'Kane entered the fray as a sub. By his own admission, it wasn't his finest performance and Derry fell to a disappointing defeat against the exiles.

Redemption presented itself later that season when O'Kane and his Oak Leaf colleagues salvaged their season with a 5-15 to 1-11 win over Donegal in the Nicky Rackard Cup final. O'Kane didn't see any action, but that medal joined his two Mageean souvenirs and he later went on to win an Ulster U21 title and three senior club championships

Before playing his part in Slaughtneil's coming of age at club level, O'Kane, like many others, upped sticks and headed Down Under in search of fame and fortune. During a two year spell in Oz, there was eight months of farming to rubberstamp his visa extension. Hurling wasn't on his radar in the outback but, during his short spell in Sydney, he swapped the maroon-and-white hoops for the white of the Shamrocks hurling club.

It was a "great experience" but, back in Ireland, the hurling renaissance kindled by his uncle Thomas Cassidy was coming to the boil and O'Kane didn't want to miss the party. You never forget your roots and, with Christmas 2012 looming, he was back at base.

The years since have been kind. Twice holding the Fr Collins Cup aloft on county final day, O'Kane passed the captain's armband on to Chrissy McKaigue for the final leg of the three in-a-row success.

The club success was special, it kept his mind sharp and created an awareness of the levels required for a return to inter-county hurling. After an absence of seven years, O'Kane is back in the red-and-white. The back pitches at Owenbeg are the new arena for honing his skills.

Practice is the key and he leads by example with the U16s he coaches in Emmet Park. It's his turn. It's about putting something back, following in the footsteps of those who introduced him to the game he loves.

The Irish News caught up with O'Kane to assess Derry's progress this season. On the outside, Derry hurlers are underachieving, but two factors need consideration. Manager Tom McLean lost virtually half of his 30-man squad from last season's Christy Ring final defeat.

McLean doesn't offer it as an excuse. Another factor is the investment and development of the game in the 'middle-tier': "Before the league began, we knew it was going to be very competitive," O'Kane said.

"We had a fair idea of the quality of the other teams as we've played them on a number of times over the years, but we certainly didn't think we were out of our depth. A number of the games were in the balance half way through the second-half, but we were unable to press on and get the result."

"Although the league results didn't do the reputation of Derry hurling many favours, it's worth remembering both Westmeath and Carlow are playing in the Liam MacCarthy competition this year. This is the level of hurling we were playing at."

Last year, Derry were runners-up to a rampant Kerry and O'Kane acknowledges the "huge change in personnel" from last season. It leaves it difficult to "push on and progress"  but, with the Rossies on the horizon, it's time to get back on the horse after relegation. But it hasn't been easy.

"It's been difficult to be honest. We have a long list of injuries at the minute and the majority of the lads who are available are playing both hurling and football for their clubs, so there's additional pressure for them to fulfil each manager's expectations while trying to remain fit and fresh," he added.

O'Kane only played hurling, but he is well used to the scenario. The balancing act has been central to O'Kane's club successes of late. It's about give and take. The club activity has been parked for the weekend as Derry head to Athleague.

"We know the challenge Roscommon will bring and we are definitely not taking them lightly. They've had a successful year so far and they'll be full of confidence after their promotion to Division 2B," he said.

In a week when the club versus county debate is once again up for discussion, O'Kane highlights the benefit of the tough club season. It focuses the mind: "I think everyone involved in the Derry club hurling scene can appreciate how competitive it is and, for that reason, there is always going to be an attitude of 'if they can do it, so can we'.

"So that competitiveness throughout Derry club hurling should help build confidence in the county team. Tom [McLean] has been very encouraging and positive through the year. We've had to rebuild from the ground up almost, but Tom kept the faith and is always encouraging us. He has introduced a number of quality young players and that's what's required for the years ahead."

It might not be the Bronx, Narembeen or Sydney, but Athleague this weekend presents O'Kane and his Derry team a chance to get back on track. The journey continues.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES


Christy Ring Cup round one, Saturday, April 23: Roscommon v Derry; Christy Ring Cup round 2A/2B, Saturday, April 30: Derry v TBC

Ulster SHC semi-final, Sunday, June 19: Derry v Antrim

2015 CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS


Christy Ring Cup round one: Derry 0-13 Mayo 0-11; Round 2A: Derry 1-12 London 2-8; Semi-final: Derry 0-23 Down 2-12; Final: Kerry 1-20 Derry 0-12

Ulster SHC quarter-final: Derry 3-17 Donegal 5-7; Ulster SHC semi-final: Derry 1-17 Down 3-16

LAST CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM


Ulster SHC semi-final, June 28 2015, Owenbeg: Derry 1-17 Down 3-16


D McDermott; M Warnock, C Quinn, S McCullagh; C McSorley, L Hinphey, R McCloskey; A Rafferty, S McGuigan (0-1); A Kelly (0-1), A Grant (0-1), K Hinphey (1-1); P Henry (0-8, 0-7 frees), R Convery, J O’Dwyer (0-1); Subs: P Cleary (0-3) for R Convery (4), E McGuckin for S McCullagh (35), B Douban (0-1) for A Kelly (43), D Foley for S McGuigan (63), T McCloskey for J O’Dwyer (65); Yellow cards: C Quinn, C McSorley, L Hinphey, A Kelly, P Cleary, J O’Dwyer

NHL DIVISION 2A RESULTS


Derry 2-12 Antrim 1-21; Westmeath 2-11 Derry 0-13; Carlow 2-25 Derry 0-9; Derry 0-13 London 0-16; Kildare 2-18 Derry 1-16;

LAST LEAGUE TEAM


Sunday, March 20, Newbridge: Kildare 2-18 Derry 1-16


D McDermott; A Rafferty, S McCullagh, E McGuckin; M McGrath, P Kelly, B Quigley; A Grant (0-2), O McCloskey (1-2); T McCloskey, M McGuigan (0-1), G O’Kane, J O’Dwyer (0-1), R Convery (0-10, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65, 0-1 sideline), P Cleary; Subs: J McCullagh for Kelly (40), S Quinn for O’Kane (54), M Conway for T McCloskey (67).