Celtic Challenge Coaching Corner - Shane Connolly (North/Mid Tipperary)

Shane Connolly (Nenagh Éire Óg) is in his second year as a mentor with North-Mid Tipperary. Fellow club man Mickey McNamara, Dermot Maher and Dermot Fitzgibbon are the other mentors with North/Mid Tipp.

In the first Celtic Challenge Coaching Corner, Shane details what it is like to be a Celtic Challenge coach, what he has learned from the competition and how coaches must balance the demands on their players.

Q: What do you think about the Celtic Challenge competition from a coaching point of view?

**A: **It’s a fantastic opportunity for a 17 year-old to play at a higher intensity than he would at club level. There’s a bit of structure there as well which is what a coach wants. We learn from each other and we pick up new tips every night we go out. It’s beneficial for all of us when we go training and pick up different things from each other. Dermot Maher and I have been working with these lads since they were Under-14s so it is great to see them develop along the way.

Q: What do you hope to learn from the Celtic Challenge as a coach?

A: You are always learning new things. You are dealing with different personalities this year than last year and so that needs adjustment as well. Players have different abilities too and you must bear that in mind and deal with it as you go from session to session.

Q: Working with young hurlers of this age, any tips?

**A: **You have to be careful how you treat them. They have a lot going on these days and you have to treat them with respect – and make sure they treat you with respect. They are good lads, hardworking and they show fierce respect when they meet you out and about, at matches and that. They always say hello and that’s a good sign. Balancing everything that is going on in their lives is a key thing.

Q: How do you feel you can help develop the team?

**A: **By upping the intensity from when we first met them at under-14 level, to giving them tougher drills and upping the stakes we are showing them what is required if they want go further with their intercounty careers. Listening to them is massive – at one of our recent training sessions a good few of the lads had a schools game earlier that day. You can’t ignore that. Communication and trust are the important issues there. Making sure they are fresh

Q: Anything you would tweak/change about the Celtic Challenge?

Nothing at all if I’m being honest. It’s a well-run competition and what I love about it is that it gives you a structure. We know in North/Mid Tipp that we have games for the first three Wednesdays and then we’re back on June 6 after a week off. Coaches love structure because they can plan and map out. I think the Celtic Challenge ticks nearly every box for me. Organised, a good level, regular games during the summer. It’s brilliant.