Pa Ranahan: “Comparison is the thief of joy” but Limerick football can learn from the hurler’s success

IN recent weeks we would have had a look at possible areas of improvement when it comes to Gaelic Football in Post Primary School and Third Level, with an eye on the evidential success that hurling has had once these two vital cogs of the wheel are operating as well as they can.

But there is a famous quote from Theodore Roosevelt;

It’s definitely a sentiment that I would have had over the years, and sometimes originated from a place of envy. It generally came from a belief that either the team or me could have possibly achieved more.

The thief of joy indeed.

The quote itself can carry unnecessarily negative meaning. Measuring where you are now against where you began can bring a much more positive and realistic barometer of success. And in the case of Limerick, trying to measure football beside hurling would be a foolish one.

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It should be aspirational to have the structures in place first, and then you can make a true comparison.

Control the controllables.

To this end, this week we will be looking at the Underage Academy systems of both and showing what can be achieved when the right approach is taken.

The Limerick Hurling Academy has received a lot of credit for the recent All Ireland successes. The large number of current senior players who have come through this set up is testament to that.

In 2011, off the back of the “Lifting The Treaty” paper and under the stewardship of Joe McKenna, Eibhear O’Dea and Liam Hayes, and the support of Gerry and JP McManus, the long-term development of Limerick Underage hurlers began.

A range of quality coaches have been involved over the years, including former Limerick hurlers Eamon Cregan, Ger Hegarty and Joe Quaid to name but a few.

Moving to present day, recently retired All Ireland winner Paul Browne has been appointed as Head Coach of the Academy, overseeing the coaching standards of all those in the set up.

Having been involved in such a finely tuned senior group up until very recently, Paul will no doubt bring fresh ideas and philosophies to the table.

I have often headed to UL of a Saturday morning to see what magic wand was being waved to create the next Cian Lynch. It’s always great to observe other codes to see can you pick up some nuggets, especially in those that are open to that.

But much like what takes place in LIT on the same day, there is nothing flashy about it. No secret formula. There is a clear timetable and structure, with good people imparting their knowledge to engaged players.

As former Academy Director of Hurling Anthony Daly said in a piece in The Examiner in 2018;

The fruits of that labour now being enjoyed.

I have spoken about the Limerick Football Academy before so rather than repeat myself, I thought it better to get the views of a coach who has been involved since its inception.

Andy Lane is someone who I would have played PPS football with in Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton, and despite him togging for near neighbours St. Senans, we got on fairly well!

We played beside each other on Limerick Minor, U21 and Senior teams, so we were destined to end up on the same coaching ticket when, with the support of parents and the Friends of Limerick Football group, the Football Academy started in late 2014.

It just so happened that current Senior manager Billy Lee was in charge of that under 14 group, with recently retired GDA Ollie Coffey his right-hand man.

As Andy states “working alongside these stalwarts was a great honour, and I picked up a few dark arts from both of these maestros”. Saturday mornings in LIT have become a hive of football activity where the key principles of play are delivered by Andy and other coaches under the watchful eyes of Paul Kinnerk and James O’Leary.

“To be involved for all these years has brought a great sense of enjoyment and pride for me personally. I’ve seen it grow and develop both in coaching standards and overall organisation”.

Andrew Lane

There is a very definite feel of everyone pulling in the same direction, with ideas being exchanged, and any success celebrated by the whole group.

This was evident when the under 15 panel that Andy was coaching and under the stewardship of Kevin Denihan lifted the Dermot Earley Cup in Abbotstown in 2019. The first Academy team to claim a national title, it was a landmark moment for all.

But it is about so much more than that, with the main goal of trying to help players through their playing journey, realise their potential and maybe even represent Limerick at Senior level.

A large number of that under 14 team that we started with are now part of Jerry O’Sullivan’s under 20 panel, and this is what Andy and all involved in the Academy are helping with.

“Seeing how the likes of John Hayes, James Molyneaux, Brian Foley and many more have come through the ranks and are now on the cusp of playing Senior under Billy’s tutelage once again is what gives me the greatest sense of pride”.

Andrew Lane

Seven years later, once more unto the breach he goes.

People will point to the lack of success of the Academy Football teams in comparison to their hurling counterparts, especially at minor level. A couple of things on that.

Firstly, the facts don’t lie. Yes, at minor level the results have been underwhelming for the most part, with Limerick still waiting on their first Munster Minor Football appearance since 1998, and Kerry holding a vice like grip on the competition since 2013.

But to say that this is a failing on the part of the Academy is like saying Thiago is the reason for Liverpool’s slump this season. Or as the lads from “The Villa Podcast” put so colourfully, it would be like getting sunburned every time you have an ice-cream and blaming the ice-cream!

Like any progressive set-up, Paul Kinnerk and James O’Leary are always looking for areas of improvement. Even now, they are in regular contact with the coaches and players respectively, ensuring they are getting the support they need.

But there is only so much that two hours a week can achieve in helping bridge the gap. Schools, clubs and the players themselves need to be doing much more to see real progress.

The second point I would make is seeing the bigger picture with this. The Academy is only going six years, and those players who have come through the whole set-up are still under 20, so the effects have yet to be seen on the senior team, who themselves are developing well.

The Limerick hurling panel are full of Academy graduates, and the spoils are being enjoyed. It’s unlikely that All Irelands will be the reward for the efforts being put in by those involved, but both are running very different races.

Let’s see where the football one ends when there aren’t as many hurdles to jump over.

Yes, comparisons can be bad, but they can also be a positive if you use them as tools.

“Don’t compare your beginnings to someone else’s middle”.

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