Silverware ‘a big deal’ for Longford and new manager Paddy Christie who is happy with progress to-date
As one of the form teams in the country through the month of January, Longford manager Paddy Christie is hopeful that his decision to let the county’s first string footballers have a crack at the O’Byrne Cup will be vindicated when they travel to Ederney for the first round of the Allianz League next weekend.
“For the Dublins and the Kerrys of the world, the O’Byrne Cups and McGrath Cups are not a big deal at all. We are trying to build in very small pieces and that’s the starting point for us,” he said, after his side’s 3-13 to 0-12 victory over Louth on Saturday.
“We are well aware that teams we are playing are putting out some of their fringe players or subs but that’s fine. We felt that we would go out and have a go at this.”
The Ballymun Kickhams man spoke about how both winning and losing can become a habit, and how the players in possession of starting jerseys have developed a good habit and so are making the management’s mind up for them when it comes to team selection.
“We started off with challenge matches and internal games, where some fellas showed up really well and so they started in the first round (of the O’Byrne Cup) against Laois. They played well against Laois, then did the same against Carlow, and then again against Meath. It’s very hard to take lads out that are doing well,” he said.
“If you did, they would have a good reason to ask why!
“That’s exactly what we want. We want to create a culture where it’s a prize that you get on the panel and then the next prize is that you get on the subs and the next is you get on to the first 15.”
When it came to the topic of the start of the league, Christie said that the group remained very focused on that competition, but how he also didn’t want the value of Saturday’s win to be lost on account of people looking ahead too soon.
“I’m aware it’s not the All Ireland or the Tailteann Cup or the National League title but it’s a big deal for people around here and it’s important to mark that.
“Of course we’ll be sure to get ready and to prepare to play Fermanagh next week and we’re all very eager to start with a win, but the best way to prepare was to win games, to get into good habits and to build up the confidence of the group. In that regard, I’m very happy with what we’ve done so far,” he concluded.