NEW Cavan hurling manager Ollie Bellew has pledged to bring positivity, enthusiasm and professionalism to what could be justifiably termed a challenging role.
Bellew, who is also in charge of the Queen’s University hurlers, met his new panel for an initial meeting and training session on Sunday morning and says he was attracted to the job by the honesty of those on the Breffni county board.
“I met with Liam McCabe, the county secretary, in Armagh for a yarn and there was something about his honesty… he wanted to do something for the hurlers, he wants them to go places,” said Bellew.
“He was very open and honest in his approach, he didn’t tell pull any punches or tell any lies to sell it, he just told it straight. There’s something about it, I spoke to a few friends around the place, I got a sense of what we’re letting ourselves in for.
“I just think there’s a challenge to be had down there, there’s a very small group of people who are passionate about their hurling and want to do well and that’s all you can ask for. What I would hope to do is bring a bit of positivity to it and a bit of enthusiasm for it. If we can be as professional about this as we can, hopefully it’s going to encourage the other hurlers that are there that haven’t been showing up for the county to come back on board.”
Eighteen players turned up to Breffni Park on Sunday morning to meet their new manager, with a number of others sending apologies. With only four clubs in Cavan to pick from in a county which will play its hurling in Division 3B of the National League in 2020, Bellew knows maximum levels of participation will be key.
“We’d a good constructive argument with the players, it was opened up to everyone, there was no just laying out plans or stalls, we spoke long and hard about what’s been good in the past, what’s been bad in the past, what needs to be done, what we would like to do,” he added.
“We went out afterwards and trained for an hour. The enthusiasm was infectious, they’re a good bunch of lads, there’s no doubt about the amount of work we’ve got to do, we’ve got to increase the playing pool, but even since yesterday’s session there’s been a lot of people getting in touch and coming on board again.
“We don’t know what we’re missing out on – boys mightn’t have the confidence to come forward or put their hand up, so it’d be nice to get as many on board as possible.”
To lift the confidence levels, Bellew feels there is no better man than Tomás Mannion of Galway football and hurling fame, who has also been part of his backroom team on previous assignments.
“Tomás is the best hurler I’ve ever worked with,” he said.
“He’s a fantastic hurler and he’s also a top class sport psychologist, he’s great with players on the training pitch and in the changing room. Introducing him, the boys will get a lot out of it.”
