CARBERY U15 hurling manager Joe O’Donnell has stressed the importance of his side’s strong start to the Rebel Óg Premier 1 Hurling League campaign.

The West Cork division host Midleton in Newcestown on Thursday night (8pm) and are chasing a third win in four games to maintain their early momentum.

O’Donnell’s side have already defeated Blackrock (5-14 to 4-1) and Glen Rovers (5-23 to 5-17), with their only defeat coming against an impressive Ballincollig outfit (4-13 to 2-11).

Given this is the first time Carbery has fielded a team at this level, it was important to hit the ground running. And they have.

‘If we didn’t get a good start, fellas might lose a bit of interest. We did a good bit of work leading up to the Blackrock game. We proved we could play at this level so the start was very important,’ O’Donnell told this week’s Star Sport Podcast.

‘We said to the boys that we were going into probably two of the most famous clubs in Ireland – Blackrock and Glen Rovers – never mind Cork.

‘We wanted to express ourselves and play well against them. We wanted to go into those games with our heads held high and come out with our heads held high. All they can do is work hard, express themselves, do what they’re good at and let the game take its own course.’

Carbery U15 hurling manager Joe Donnell.

The Carbery young guns have put themselves in a strong position in the league, with Douglas and Duhallow also still to come after Thursday’s clash with Midleton.

‘The beauty of this is we don’t know much about any of the clubs we are playing. There are two lads involved with me – Sean Holland from Dunmanway and Martin Kelly from Bandon,’ O’Donnell explained.

‘Martin has great knowledge of the other clubs and was involved with the Cork development squads. Sean has a son on the panel and is familiar with all the lads from the West Cork area.

‘Other than what Martin tells us, we don’t know much about our opponents. Ten minutes into a game, you’re moving the chairs around, trying to stabilise your team and pick weaknesses in the opposition.

‘They didn’t know much about us either and maybe we benefited because they weren’t expecting a whole lot from us. It’s brilliant to be playing against these teams.

‘Every fella goes out, expresses himself and does his best for the team. That’s what it’s all about. We don’t play sweepers or four-man midfields. We keep it conventional, don’t overcomplicate it and the boys work away with what they are used to doing.’

A highlight of the victory over Glen Rovers was the performance of Newcestown’s Jack Allen, who struck 4-6. Owen Gaels duo Oisin McCabe and Conor Cullinane also impressed.

Players from Sam Maguires, Ahán Gaels, Bantry Blues, St James, Kilbrittain, O’Donovan Rossa and St Colum’s were also represented in the latest win.

The Carbery senior hurlers have struggled to make an impact in the county championship in recent seasons. The hope is that projects like this can help build for the future.

‘These are 15-year-old boys growing into men. We have some really athletic lads on the team who are fast, strong, mobile and good hurlers. I’d be hoping these lads are involved in minor panels going forward. If that’s the case, then the Carbery set-up we’re involved in is worthwhile.

‘You want to develop hurling in West Cork but you also want to give players opportunities to express themselves against the bigger clubs and show they deserve to be on that platform. The Carbery board is backing this project and driving it on.

‘There is a great future for the division going forward at senior level, but there is still a lot of work to be done in getting buy-in from the clubs,’ O’Donnell added.