LONDON’S county hurlers trained on Tuesday night for the first time in 2014, still without a manager.
Tommy Harrell remains in temporary charge of the panel, with no significant progress having been made in the search for a suitable full-time candidate.
Harrell told The Irish Post: “The aim is to organise a professional set-up for training and get good selectors on board to build on the team’s achievements of the past years.”
The Wexford native managed London in 1995-96, winning an All-Ireland B and National League Division 3 title with a team that was backboned by Andy Comerford, who went on to win three All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny. Nevertheless, he is adamant that he has no designs on the London job this season and ready to hand over the reins as soon as a full-time manager is found.
“100 per cent,” he said. “All I’m doing is helping to keep the show on the road and give the players the opportunity to play for London and have as professional a set-up as possible.”
Harrell has been heartened by the response from the players since they have returned to London in the new year. Many of the panel that enjoyed league success in 2013 have signed up for the coming campaign.
They include: Brian Regan, John Walsh, PJ Rowe, Henry Vaughan, Stephen Frawley, Stephen Lambert, Martin Duggan, John Grealish, Kevin Walsh, Stephen Lambert, Enda Cooney, Luke Hands, Chris McAlinden and Neil Rodgers.
The side will also be buoyed by the introduction of the likes of Eoin Kelly and Bernard Gaffney of St Gabriels. Highly rated Galweigans Kevin Coen and Ruairi Foy have also committed.
Harrell, however, also has to contend with the usual turnover of players in London. The Father Murphys clubman said that 13 from the 2013 panel will not be available. Notable absentees include Martin Finn, who has retired from the inter-county game, Donie Reale, Gary Hill, Gerard Hennelly (all returned home) and Jonny Maher (travelling, currently in Peru).
Perhaps the biggest loss, though, will be the services of Brian Costello at full-back. The former Christy Ring hurler of the year will not be playing for the county this year and there is a possibility that he might transfer back his club Abbeyknockmoy in Galway.
A rumour that the 28-year-old had been recalled to the Galway panel had circulated, but when contacted by the Post, he laughed: “If that’s true, it’s the first I’ve heard if it.”
“Brian has been a tower of strength and will be a huge loss,” said Harrell who added that the team will train three times a week: Tuesdays at Greenford, astroturf training on Thursdays and on a pitch yet to be decided on Sunday mornings.
He is in the process of appointing a physical trainer and a hurling/skills trainer. Harrell is also keen to work with three selectors and said he hopes one each from St Gabriels, Kilburn Gaels and Brothers Pearse will sign up.
“We have a strong panel and good players are arriving all the time in London. We believe it is possible to have a team this year that can be even better than last year’s side,” said Harrell.
