Sport

A long way to go, says Kerrigan

NEWS: Cavan manager Matt Kerrigan isn't inclined to adjust his sights after Sunday's surprise defeat of Derry - the county that…

By Sean Moran
Tue Feb 12 2002 - 00:00

NEWS: Cavan manager Matt Kerrigan isn't inclined to adjust his sights after Sunday's surprise defeat of Derry - the county that has knocked them out of the last three championships.

"We still have a long way to go. You could never be sure how seriously Derry were taking it. Winning the league would not be a priority for them. Their focus is on nailing down an All-Ireland. My ambition is obviously to win as many matches as I can but also to put a squad together and to see if certain players can compete consistently at this level."

Kerrigan says that he is changing the team's style of play from a short-ball game to something more direct.

"I'm trying to vary the game a bit more, to get players to recognise options in a given situation and take the best one available. The players are trying hard and it is difficult for them when a new coach is changing their game around. That takes time and you have to give players that time.

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"It might be different if there was a history of underage success but I've a lot of players from junior clubs and they need time to adjust at this level."

Kerrigan is aware that next weekend's opponents Fermanagh won't be as straight-forward as form might suggest. "Coming from Meath, you can forget local rivalries exist. But we've a good bit of potential."

Meanwhile, the AIB Provincial Club Players' awards were announced yesterday. The winners will all be in action over the coming weeks in the All-Ireland club semi-finals.

This Sunday's hurling semi-finals bring together Connacht winner Mark Kerins of Galway and champions Clarinbridge and Fergal Hartley who was man of the match in the Munster final when Ballygunner finally won the title by defeating Blackrock.

Birr's Simon Whelahan emulates his brother Brian, a previous winner of this award, and gains recognition for a devastating display in the Leinster final replay defeat of Castletown. This weekend Birr face Dunloy, whose prolific forward Alastair Elliott takes the Ulster award.

The football awards also go to the provincial champions. Aidan Higgins is the only one of the four not to be an established county player but his driving play from centrefield greatly contributed to Charlestown's Mayo and Connacht triumphs.

Other winners were Colin Corkery (Nemo Rangers), Enda Muldoon (Ballinderry) and the high-scoring Tommy Gill from Leinster champions Rathnew of Wicklow.

  • Ballygunner's match against Clarinbridge will be televised live on TG4, starting at 2.30.
  • Brian Carbery yesterday became Carlow's first winner of the Eircell Vodafone GAA player of the month award. He won the accolade after fine displays in January, which included Carlow's O'Byrne Cup final victory over the John O'Leary-led Wicklow.