Bond sequel promises to be just as action-packed

Michael Bond is already worried about injuries to key players.

The new Offaly manager - back since Tuesday in the post he left just over a year ago - was referring to the chronic difficulties currently being suffered by two of the team's best-known hurlers.

"My main concern is the longterm injuries to Brian Whelahan and Kevin Martin," he said. "Neither of them is fully recovered and both need a good period of rest. Brian hurls all year around for club and county.

"No team has the same success rate as Offaly since 1995, in terms of lasting into the later stages of the All-Ireland. Kevin footballs and hurls all year. Their injuries aren't given a chance."

In the immediate future, Bond has nothing too strenuous planned.

Offaly reached last September's All-Ireland final, but have not entered any of the subsidiary competitions which abound at this time of the year.

The county's most contentious issue has been the rift between Hubert Rigney and the team.

In the aftermath of the heavy All-Ireland defeat by Kilkenny, Rigney's club St Rynagh's were critical of the decision not to use the player who had been missing due to sickness for most of the summer.

Asked about Rigney's intentions, Bond wasn't sure, but indicated that he would warmly welcome the centre back's return.

"I don't know. Hubert was captain in 1998, the last man to take the Liam MacCarthy Cup in the old Hogan Stand.

"He's a tremendous player and I sincerely hope that he'll be part and parcel of the set-up next year.

"We won't be starting until after the players are back from a well-deserved holiday. There's not much to be done for now. I'll be watching club matches, but you don't learn too much in quagmire conditions."

News of Offaly's appointment comes just as Jimmy Barry-Murphy announced his resignation in Cork - something of an irony given that Bond stepped down in Offaly after defeat by Cork in last year's All-Ireland semi-final.

Bond is, however, at pains to point out that his first stint with the county - during which the 1998 All-Ireland was won - lasted little over a year.

"I was only at Offaly for 14 months, but Jimmy was five years at it, a long time in management. It's a major, major commitment. It occupies every spare minute, but, once I got involved, I suppose I got the bug."

His decision to return to Offaly came as a surprise when released on Tuesday night. Whereas his brisk, enthusiastic style coaxed a memorable All-Ireland out of the team in 1998, the achievement was seen as an Indian summer for a team which has been on the road with few changes for a long time.

Bond is positive about returning to his former post. He will have the same selectors and most of the players with whom he worked before.

Although the consensus view is that the county will have to rebuild, the new manager is upbeat about the prospect of marshalling a panel with a lot of experience, some bright new talent, but few players in between.

"I'm going back to familiar territory with people I know well. Pat Moloughney and Paudge Mulhare have a tremendous insight into hurling in the county.

"There's the same pool of players. They've been playing a long time but how many are over 30? Post-'99, Martin Hanamy and Billy Dooley retired.

"I'm hopeful that no one's going to step down this year and there are young players coming through like Brendan Murphy, Mick O'Hara and Rory Hanniffy.

"It might take a year or so, but once we get the proper blend of experience and youth, there'll be a good team."