Gary Hunt’s pre-season regime on Cobh’s Burma steps was a contrast to Dubai last year with Waterford but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Shane Keegan’s decision to quit after Ramblers became last year’s surprise packets by reaching the First Division playoff final presented Hunt with a gap to emerge from the shadows.
He’s renowned in the south of the country for his coaching prowess, guiding the likes of Derrick Williams, Colm Whelan and Jess Gleeson at underage level, but operated in the background bar a spell at the helm of Wexford’s women’s team.
Having just turned 42, Hunt felt ready to be the decision-maker.
Cobh lost their best players from last season and had their budget reduced but Hunt isn’t dampening expectations.
He was on the opposite side of the predictions list last year when part of a Blues set-up highly fancied to run away with automatic promotion.
Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley, since jailed for fraud, arranged for the Irish element of his group to visit Dubai for a warm-weather training camp, one ironically disrupted by incessant rain.
No inclement conditions impaired Hunt’s domestic preparations this time.
Pitch time is important but monotonous, convincing him to organise a Rocky-style jog around the historic streets of the coastal town.
“I felt it was important to get out there in front of the public,” the Waterford man said of Cobh’s opener on Friday night away to Treaty United.
“We didn’t publicise it in advance or anything. After training in the morning, we had some lunch and decided to go for a run. There’s a lot of local lads in our squad and there was a great reception from the locals. I even joined in myself because you want them to know I’ll be in the trenches too.”
Goalkeeper
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