'Everything will be geared towards getting the most complete performance on the pitch'

New Meath hurling manager hoping to use his local knowledge to good effect

Among small ball circles in the county, the recently appointed Meath hurling manager Mickey Cole has been a household name for a very long time.

He is one of, if not Meath’s greatest ever hurler. In his playing days he was integral to the small village of Rathmolyon winning three SHC titles in 1993, 1996 and 2006.

Up until very recently, he still represented his club at junior level. It was only going to be a matter of time before Cole would take up the mantle as Meath hurling boss.

Speaking at a media event organised by the Meath Hurling Committee, Cole revealed that he had pondered about applying for the position for many years and conversations with his family led to him throwing his hat in the ring this time around.

“I have always been looking at the job from afar and wondering when would be the right time for me to think about it. My kids have gotten to the age where it’s just about shuffling them from A to B. We had a chat at home and said right let's go for it.”

Another factor in the Rathmolyon native’s decision was the promise he seen from the squad this year under his predecessor Johnny Greville.

“I was looking at Meath in this year's Christy Ring and in some of the games I thought they weren't doing certain things well, but they were doing a lot of things right," said Cole.

"A lot of lads that were involved are young and from less familiar clubs, but they were holding their own at county level and they were only going to improve. It definitely was a selling point for me that the nucleus of that team were going to improve a sight from their experience under Johnny (Greville) this year.”

Three outsiders have managed the Royal hurlers since the last Meath man was in charge. Cole says that he hopes his knowledge of Meath hurling will pay dividends.

“Loads of people are telling me that it is great that a Meath man is back involved. I personally think that having a Meath man as a manager can only help," he admitted.

"My knowledge of Meath hurling is probably why a lot of clubs have asked me to get involved in the last few years. I hope to use that knowledge to benefit the team and to get the best squad possible going forward to represent the county.”

There has been plenty made over the last few years over the fact that there are plenty of good hurlers in the county who are not repersenting Meath for various reasons. Cole expressed that every suitable hurler will be asked but that no-one would be begged to come into the panel.

“I know a lot of the lads that can hurl in this county, but maybe I don’t know them all. Everyone will be afforded a trial of some description," he said."Lads who have not played county in a few years will be asked and they might be asked a couple of times but no one will be begged.

"Lads will come in because they want to get involved in what is going to be a very professional set-up. They are going to be well coached. Everything will be geared towards getting the most complete performance on the pitch.

“With Meath, you are dealing with a nucleus who were unfortunate not to make a Christy Ring Cup final last year. If we can give them lads belief and we hopefully add in a smidgen of lads who are tried and tested and who are playin at a high level with their clubs, that will up the ante.”

Cole has started the process of getting in touch with a few hurlers, but said that timing will be of the essence when approaching potential players. He also said that he is on the hunt for plenty of different types of hurlers.

“All I will say is that I am getting good feedback. I have talked to one or two players but not too many to be honest. It is all about timing. I find that you need to let lads rest after their club season. There are lads that have been out of the championship for a few weeks and that is fine but players need a bit of breathing time and downtime," said Cole.

"Lads will be getting phone calls and clubs will be getting emails. Clubs will be asked if they think they have someone that is good enough for this county set-up and we will afford those players a chance.

"I don’t think that has been done in a while. There’s a perception out there that that might be a bit old school but there could be a diamond in the rough.

“I am not looking for a team of silky hurlers. I want all types. I want hurlers, I want mulluckers, I want man markers. Teams can’t survive with just slick forwards with good stickwork. We need all types and our job is to encourage lads of all types to come in.”

In terms of a long term plan, Cole has high expectations for the next five years which includes Meath becoming a competitive Joe McDonagh Cup outfit.

"I think Meath should be playing Joe McDonagh. Are they strong enough to win a Joe McDonagh now? No. Do I think we will be in the next couple of years? Yes," enthused the new manager.

"My ultimate goal is to have Meath hurling playing in the Joe McDonagh with a view to winning it in the next two years. It’s all dependent on everything going well and winning the Christy Ring but I have a clear vision in my mind where Meath should be by 2030 and that is competing in tier two of Leinster."

In terms of a target for next year, Cole was very clear in his belief that Meath should reach the decider of the Christy Ring Cup in 2027.

"It is going to take time and the games will come upon us very quickly. We have the Kehoe Cup early in January and two league games then in late January," said Cole.

"We will be ultra competitive in those games but we will be using them to have a look at lads. The ultimate goal is to win the Christy Ring Cup and I don’t think I am being overly optimistic when I say that Meath should be in a Christy Ring final in 2027."

Cole is certainly optimistic and given his knowledge of Meath hurling and his fantastic reputation in the county, Royal supporters have every reason to share that optimism with the new manager over what potentially might be achieved during his tenure.