O'Halloran concerned about welfare of young players

GAA Kildalkey target more success in 2021

The joint-manager of the Kildalkey senior hurling team Pat O’Halloran has emphasised the importance of young players staying active and positive as the Covid-19 crisis continues with all involved in the GAA unsure of when action will resume.

O’Halloran – who has confirmed that he will remain as joint-manager of Kildalkey along with Daire Lahart for 2021 – says that it’s vitally important that players keep fit and continue to hone their skills as part of a general quest to stave off any negativity.

“Even for peace of mind it’s so important that players stay as fit as they can and practice as much as they can because there is so little to do now, as long as they stay within the regulations," O'Halloran told the Meath Chronicle.

“Most guys are trying to do something, but it’s hard on young people now, I feel for them.

"The lockdowns and the restrictions makes it a horrible, if necessary way, for young people to have to live their lives.

“Not having any hurling, or sport generally, leaves a huge gap in their lives because this is what they have done up to now.

"There are worse things happening in life, of course, but from a sporting context it’s tough on young people because they are not communicating with their friends through training or playing games.

“It’s just such a tough time on them because they should be really enjoying life," he added.

O’Halloran earned himself a unique place in the history of hurling in Kildalkey when he guided the team to three successive Meath SHC titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The Tipperary native stepped away for a few years before returning to manage the team with Lahart and the duo guided Kildalkey to another SHC crown in 2019.

However, they were deposed as champions in last year’s shortened SHC when they were shocked by Trim in the semi-final stage, but the 2020 SHC wasn't completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking back at that game, O'Halloran felt his team could have won.

“That was a big disappointment because we played really well on the day," stated O’Halloran.

"We just got caught with a few late goals that we shouldn’t have got caught by.

"We went a man down and gave away a couple of bad goals in the closing stages.

“We have plenty of players in Kildalkey, we have a young team and our aim is to get to the knock-out stages and if you get there you have a chance.

"Right now I’d say the championship might not be played until July or August, please God if everything goes to plan, but there are worst things happening in the world.

“Last year’s championship was finished off very quickly, although the final is still outstanding, so I decided I would go another year as coach with Daire.

“Of course we don’t know where we are at the moment, but it’s important that fellows are doing their own little bit. It’s the same, of course, for every club,” he concluded.