IFC Final Preview: ‘It’s about getting the players to express themselves’

There are, it seems, as many philosophies on how to manage a football team as there is variety of colours worn by teams.

Rathkenny supremo Donal Curtis has his own view. Not for him is the rigid formula players have to adhere to with a rigorous, unyielding commitment. Not for him is the policy of parking the bus; a ultra conservative approach aimed at stifling the opponents attacking verve and hitting back with a counter punch.

Instead he likes to give his troops the freedom to play the game as they find it and use their own talents to deal with whatever situation they find themselves in.

"It's about trying to get the players to express themselves, just go out and play what's in front of you, play your game as best you can. Go and have the confidence, next ball, next ball. If you do make a mistake just get on with it, next ball, try and progress from that." Fuelling it all is the players' hard graft hard which, he adds, is "a given," a starting point.

Such an approach, such a philosophy is music, sweet music to the ears of the game's purists who are heartily sick of sitting through defence-dominated, possession-obsessed games that are as enlightening and entertaining as watching a carpark fill up.

Curtis's approach is straightforward, uncomplicated but also very effective as Rathkenny's march to the IFC final has highlighted.

This is Curtis's first year as Rathkenny manager and there is no doubt he is getting a tune out of the group of players at his disposal. Anybody who has seen them, especially in either of the last two games they have played, would surely have agreed with that assertion. They comfortably pushed aside Walterstown in the quarter-final (1-17 to 1-10) and showed in their big win over O'Mahonys (1-12 to 0-6) that they really mean business.

The manager himself would also agree with that viewpoint. "Yeah we had a very poor league (they were relegated), the championship started, we had a good win over Drumbaragh, bit by bit we have improved and hopefully we can keep heading in the right direction."

Certainly Curtis has a deep reservoir of experience to tap into from his own playing days to help him find a path as a manager. He has two Celtic Cross medals in his collection after helping Meath to All-Ireland triumphs in 1996 and '99, so he knows what it's like at the pinnacle of the game and what it takes to get there.

Also at inter-county level he served as a selector during Andy McEntee's term in charge. With such a wealth of experience it's hardly surprising Rathkenny turned to one of their most famous sons for guidance - and whatever happens in Saturday's final it can be said he has certainly provided that this year. Guidance. Leadership.

Not that it was all bright and bubbly. It has, he admits, been "difficult" at times. Relegation from Div 1B was certainly not part of the overall strategic plan. It was a turbulent way for Curtis to start his reign as Rathkenny manager but he didn't panic. The panel were without a plethora of players missing through injury, travel or inter-county commitments.

When they started to trickle back the team, as a collective, began to flow like the Boyne in a flood.

"We have a young team and every game the players are getting that little bit more confident and I suppose some of our senior players are getting better with each game."

Leading them all the way has been players such as Donal Keogan. Then there is Brian Meade who looks to have found a new lease of life. Another big boost to the Rathkenny cause is the fact that a talented contingent of young players have graduated onto the first team.

Once there Curtis clearly believes it's important not to restrict them too much by weighting them down with a serious of instructions. Instead just let them play. Express themselves.

"A lot of the lads have won minors and u-20 titles over the last couple of years, they are good footballers in my book anyway it's as simple as that. They are able to go out and play the game and when you have players like that, players who can adapt, you don't have to do that much with them in terms of trying to progress them. You just want to get them sharp, keep them sharp and get them up to to the pace of the next level."

The "next level". Those words hint at something else Curtis believes is important for any team; the need to continuously improve; to progress to the next level. Stay where you are and you are actually going backwards. Rathkenny are certainly pushing to get better ...and better... right now helped along the way by the manager's tendency to allow the players freedom of expression.

Whether it will be all good enough to help Rathkenny win the McDonnell Cup remains to be seen but the IFC has turned out to be quite an adventure for Curtis who was a real warrior as a player and is shaping the team in the same mould.