Ollie Bellew contributing to Cavan hurling story again

By Cian O’Connell

Positive and passionate, Ollie Bellew is thoroughly enjoying being back on the inter-county managerial beat with Cavan.

An Allianz Hurling League Division 3A tussle against neighbours Monaghan is next on the agenda at Kingspan Breffni. Following last year’s promotion, Cavan have made a significant impact at a higher level, perfectly illustrated by the win over Armagh at the weekend.

“It has been brilliant,” the Antrim native acknowledges. “The permutations to be relegated now, they are a bit crazy. They are not impossible, but we are virtually safe.

“We are going into Saturday's game knowing if we draw or win, we will be in a league semi-final. All of that panic last year, when we got promoted, about how difficult it was going to be, we have held our own, and we are really enjoying ourselves.”

That fun aspect is key to Bellew’s approach. Undoubtedly Cavan have ambition, but there has to be a sense of adventure. Bellew collaborates with his management team, including Castlegar’s Tomas Mannion, ensuring there is plenty of planning and plotting. “The minute we pull into the car park, we are buzzing to see who is arriving at the same time,” he laughs.

“You are looking forward to seeing this person and that person. You go for a walk, Tom and I would head off to have a chat before training, to get our heads right about exactly what we want out of it.

“So, there is a good feeling and vibe about it, exactly what sport should be. I've kids of my own playing, that is exactly why you want them in the game, so they have those connections and friendships and circles that they will be able to rely on in years ahead. We are exactly like that now. We have a great bond.

“The lads let off a bit of steam on Saturday night, we know we have a big game next week, a massive game, but we also know we have virtually secured our status in the Division.

“So, the boys went out together, they spent a couple of hours together, and it is great when turn on the WhatsApp group, you see the photos flying through. They are out having a bit of craic, sure what else would you want?”

Bellew returned to the Cavan role for the start of the 2023 campaign. Cavan have made progress, but the journey is merely ongoing. “We are absolutely delighted,” Bellew responds about the distance travelled so far.

“We took a strange approach at the start of the year to work with a more condensed squad, so we could get more work done and better work done. After a couple of injuries and seasonal illnesses you look very exposed, but we still haven't got everyone back.

“We are starting to see the full squad coming together, we are really excited about. Now, our team, boys we would have absolutely relied on in the past, they are fighting for places.

“If somebody gets injured or is out of the game, there is a real worry because they have to work hard to get back in. It is a great place to be, but we aren't perfect yet. There is still a long way to go, still a lot of work to do, but we are loving the ride in the meantime.”

Bellew outlines the reasons why Cavan opted to keep panel numbers tight. “At the time it was a gamble, a massive gamble,” he adds.

“We didn't know if there would be merit in it, but the intensity in training, the quality of training is very, very high.

“You obviously have less guys disengaged because of their place in the pecking order, and in the squad. There is a real bite about training now because guys really, really want to be part of the XV.

“Everybody wants to be part of the panel, but they all want to be in the XV. They should want to be part of it and feel entitled to be part of it. The competition for places is enormous, we have a headache every week, but that is great.

“Most of the injuries are clearing up so our problems selecting a team are probably going to get worse over the next couple of weeks. That is a good problem to have.”

Momentum has been generated. Two wins registered in Division 3A offers hope and encouragement. Suddenly, there is a bit of interest in Cavan hurling again. “It is brilliant, it is absolutely brilliant,” Bellew says.

“We are the talk of the place, people are coming out to see us now. We have a good following, it could be better, and we need more.

“These guys, how they are playing, how they are so comfortable in their own skins, they are going to places where they are expected to suffer defeats, and they are going getting victories and great performances.”

Bellew praises the rich contribution being made by those involved behind the scenes. “There is just a real energy about the place, that feeds in from the backroom team,” Bellew says.

“We have real quality people looking after them, making sure they are fit, strong, healthy, and prepared. We have people looking after them in every aspect. So, they know themselves that they are comfortable in their own skin. We aren't draconian in how we approach management.

“We deal with people as individuals. I think it is a positive way. It is a very encompassing group, everyone is in it together, looking after each other. There is a real lovely family feel about it all. That pays off.

“If somebody has to miss training for a reason, we rally around, there is no major issue made of it. We just create a good harmonious, honest, hard working environment, and everyone buys into it. So, it is brilliant to be a part of it.

“You know you have work to do on Tuesday and Thursday night in training, but you actually cannot wait until the games on Saturday. You cannot wait to get back out there, to put on a show.”

Creating a happy and welcoming environment matters deeply. The unity is vital according to Bellew, who believes that further progress can be made. “As a manager you always try to be careful not to stray across the line of friendship in so much that there has to be a line of accountability and a line of management,” he says.

“The backroom team separates itself from the performance team. You have Tom, who is heading up all of the performance work, all of the tactics and training work.

“They are a brilliant unit together, the rest of us create a support network around them to make sure everything works well.

“Everyone is doing their best, everyone is honest and up front. There is a great dynamic between the players and management, it is just absolutely fantastic. We don't see ourselves as a divide, we just see ourselves as one big unit, trying to do the best we can for Cavan.”

Valuable lessons were learned in 2023. Cavan flourished in the league, but then the Lory Meagher Cup concluded in disappointment.

“We aren't looking any further than Saturday,” he explains. “We are trying to cement a league semi-final place, that would be amazing. That would be a buzz and a crack at Sligo, I'd imagine, a chance to try to right the wrongs of the last game.

“We'd just be happy with another game at this level, just to prove the doubters wrong, and everybody who thought we'd be the first ones relegated, the first ones to get into trouble, and that we wouldn't win any games.

“We are actually going out, performing every week, we are loving it. So, we aren't looking any further ahead than this game. After the league we will refocus and look at the championship.

“We will take a break before it, so there is a clear definition between the two parts of the season. That is a massive mistake we made last year, we went well in the league, and then we arrived in the championship absolutely exhausted.

“We have tried to address it, and that is why we haven't rushed anyone back from injury. We have just let the whole thing take its own course.”