And you feed off that buzz of regular matches without the absolute bearpit tension of championship. It’s a vital test of all the systems and preparation you’ve put in place. It’s the place where you can find out, to some extent, if that new fella has the stuff you’re nearly certain he has. It’s when you can lay down the odd marker, but also test some plan you might have hatched for later on. Maybe only for half an hour, in case too many catch on to it.

Source: Irish Examiner January 23, 2026 13:15 UTC