MICHAEL McCambridge has revealed that he’s been holding back the Liatroim hurlers to make sure they are ready for championship later this year.
The former Cushendall and Antrim hurler is in his second year in charge of the Fontenoys’ hurlers. He is still adapting to the intricacies of managing a dual club. Liatroim has 12 players playing both football and hurling, and that means protecting players from getting injured is key.
“There are a couple of lads who have come back from injury and have put their hand up to be available to play, but I have deliberately held them off because there are more important things coming down the line. If they could come back they could reinjure, and that would impact their opportunities for championship. Players just want to play and do their best for the club.”
It is perhaps a good problem to have, players too eager to play. But Michael is careful with every player, no matter how good they are.
For example, Pearse Óg and Ruairi McCrickard were both hurling for the county this year, and returned to the club following the recent end to the county hurling season. But Michael wants them to have time to recover.
“We are giving them a few weeks off because they have pretty much had a season over them already. So it has been a struggle to get numbers.”
A recent game against Warrenpoint saw Liatroim hurlers line out with 16 players.
“This year has been a bit of a challenge,” Michael said. “We had a lot of injuries to dual players, but also to those who just hurl. We have lost a few of the lads to football, a few of the younger lads that I was trying to push through from last year, they opted to go for football season this season with the club. That has been a disappointment.”
The draw to football is borne out of the club’s desire to get back up the divisions. Liatroim are in third place in ACFL Division Three, three points behind the top two teams, Darragh Cross and Drumgath.
“Of course it is frustrating. But it is just part of management. You have to manage the players,” Michael said. “Both management teams work together to make sure we are not overburdening the players. That is part and parcel of a successful, thriving club like Liatroim. This is one of the things that you need to manage through.
“From myself, being from Cushendall, we don’t have that issue. We are not a dual club. It is the sign of a healthy club, that they are able to field at both codes. They are a credit to themselves for having so many codes across camogie, ladies football, hurling and men’s football.”
