Baker positive as he takes Offaly hurling reins

NEW Offaly hurling manager Ollie Baker is relishing the opportunity to make his mark with the Faithful County. The Clare hurling legend and Tullamore-based garda sergeant was earlier this week recommended by a selection committee to take the Offaly reins - and his appointment will be rubber-stamped at next month's county board meeting. Baker has an uphill task to repeat some of the glory days experienced by Offaly's during the '90s, but he expects the Faithful County to compete strongly in next year's league and championship. "There's a huge challenge ahead for everybody associated with the team, and I'm looking forward to embracing it," said Baker. "I'm not one to set targets, but I hope to give the people of Offaly a team to be proud of; one that gives everything for the jersey, and shows huge endeavour and commitment. It's about getting the best out of the players, and I intend to do that. There was a lot of very good work done here over the past four years, under Joe Dooley, and it's not like Offaly hurling is in the doldrums. Offaly is in the top eight or nine counties, and there's very little between that top group of counties. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but we'd hope, over time, to re-create some of the successes the county has had in the past," added Baker, who helped Clare to win All-Ireland titles in 1995 (beating Offaly in the final) and 1997. The Clare man arrives in the Offaly hot-seat with plenty of coaching experience, having been a selector with Clare and Antrim in recent years. He also managed Roscrea over the past two years. "I enjoyed all those different roles, but it's very different now (being manager of Offaly). I'm relishing the challenge and hope to make my mark here," he said. Fellow Clare native Alan Cunningham has been added to the coaching staff, and Baker will finalise his selectors over the next couple of weeks, and they will be Offaly-based. The new Faithful boss also said the revised NHL structure has favoured Offaly, who will compete in Division 1B, along with Antrim, Clare, Laois, Limerick and Wexford. "I'm very happy with the structure and the competitive nature of Division 1B. There will be very tough games in it, and it will act as ideal preparation for the championship. Also, there's the incentive to win the division and reach a National League semi-final," he said.