Last summer, not many people would have expected Mickey Harte to be managing Offaly this season, especially because they didn't look like they were searching for a new manager.
Declan Kelly had taken the reigns and was hoping to build on the county's historic U20 success from 2021, but after a shock defeat to London in The Tailteann Cup, something needed to change.
Harte was brought in to join Kelly as joint manager, and Cormac Egan, who was one of the shinning stars of that U20 team, was as surprised as anybody to hear the news.
Speaking on The Puke Football Podcast at the launch of the Dalata Hotel U20 Football Championship, the flying wing back couldn't contain his excitement about the appointment, and the immediate impact that Harte has had.
"Yeah, he's brought a lot of positive energy around the place. So yeah, loving it under Mickey, it's fantastic.
"It came as a complete surprise. I got the call of Dec to say it was probably going to go ahead and it took me by complete surprise.
"But look, it was brilliant. It really was a show of initiative by the county board and by Declan as well, to get someone of his calibre in and I think it's worked really well with the two boys so far.
"I think they both say their piece. I think they're both kind of driving home similar enough messages - Obviously like Mickey might take over one thing and then Declan might take over another thing, but I think they're balancing it well and we're hearing both voices."
The Puke Interview: Cormac Egan
The Offaly star joined Lee on the show:
- Life under Mickey Harte
- The enormity of that u20 success
- The issue with explosive players and hamstrings
- New rules and why GAA players and the media need to have a better relationship pic.twitter.com/22D1SmhW4I
— Lee Costello (@LeeCostelloGAA) February 19, 2025
Last season may have been a disappointment, but 2025 has gotten off to a great start as Offaly currently sit second in Division Three on the same points total as Kildare, and promotion could be on the cards.
"I don't think we set any targets.I guess, look, the way last year ended, we got pummelled by London, do you know what I mean? And fair play to London, they showed up that day, and they played great football, and they destroyed us, and deservedly so destroyed us on that day.
"So, look, we had a bad, really bad end to the year - I think it was the kind of case, we know there's decent footballers in Offaly, it wasn't that we can't play football,I think just a few things had to be tweaked.
"We have a real professional setup this year and everyone's buying in and everyone's pulling in the right direction.
"I don't think we're setting targets as such, but it's all about the next day.Like, Mickey came in after the Antrim game, obviously, we were delighted to get the win, but immediately it's Brewster Park next Sunday and that's it, if we get over the line, it's four games, eight points and that's what we want to get."
You can listen to the full interview with Cormac Egan, and other interviews with big names in Gaelic football by signing up The Puke Football Podcast for free: The Puke interview with Cormac Egan
