Teams slowly begin to realise the potential of Tailteann

There are many proverbs out there relating to success, stretching from the simple to the ridiculous. Performance coaches could probably throw in a few more! One of the most commonly referred to is a quote that reads, 'Opportunities don't happen - you create them.'

This line sprung to mind this week, as the opening round of the Tailteann Cup took place.

Into its third year, this new competition has bedded in reasonably well. Compared to a previous incarnation, the Tommy Murphy Cup, it has been a roaring success. Remember the outcry when that competition was introduced all of 20 years ago? It created significant controversy: counties felt insulted to be thrust into a second tier championship. Locally, it caused all sorts of trouble in Sligo with a number of players reluctant to line out for the county on occasion.

That was then, though, and this is now.

There's a realisation – both from counties themselves and the powers that be – that the gap between the top teams and those lower down the divisions has widened. Teams that haven't enjoyed success at provincial level and haven't a realistic chance of doing so soon, understand that the introduction of a championship for teams lower down the ladder is something to be embraced.

I liked the way Sligo captain Niall Murphy talked about it last week, in the lead up to the game versus Wexford. He spoke about the devastation of the loss against Galway, how Sligo are targeting Connacht finals, and his scepticism of the Tailteann Cup initially. But he still said they'd target this competition now they're in it. That, to my mind, is the way to go about it.

Everyone wants to be in the top competition. Sam Maguire will always be the cup a young child playing football in the garden will lift after a kickabout with friends. The new structure, for all its flaws, gives counties like Sligo a good chance of reaching that stage either through improved league displays or a good run in the province to the Connacht final. If you don't achieve that, the Tailteann Cup provides an avenue for progression, development, a potential day or two in Croke Park, silverware and, ultimately, Sam Maguire football.

The response from the public has been lukewarm. In 2022, the standalone semi-final double header at Croke Park attracted a crowd of 16-thousand or so. Last year, it was just under 18-thousand – although, in the context of some of the attendances in the provincial championships this year, it's not bad. And there were some heartwarming scenes after the two finals, particularly in 2022 as Westmeath celebrated clinching the title and arrived home to a big gathering in Mullingar.

Most counties now understand that while the ideal scenario is to be in the All-Ireland series, winning the Tailteann Cup gives you an opportunity to create success, as the saying goes. It's a chance to build momentum, generate supporter interest and perhaps earn some big-match experience at Croke Park. It also gives squads a chance to develop as they train together for longer in better weather conditions as spring turns to summer.

This applies especially to Kildare this year. They have received an enormous amount of flak within their own county – and some of it is justified – after a torrid league campaign and a meek championship exit against Louth, which came only after a nervy win over a Wicklow side relegated to Division Four. Whatever the reason for it, Kildare's obvious problem over recent months has been a distinct lack of confidence. They are playing like a team that's doubting itself – just look at the lack of conviction in some of their attempts on goal in that Louth defeat.

Many will feel Kildare shouldn't be in the Tailteann Cup, given the resources available to them as a county. Many within the county will feel as though they are above that level of competition. But they are there for a reason – and should embrace it.

Heading into Division Three next year and no doubt eager to make amends after a dismal run this spring, the Tailteann Cup offers the Lilywhites a perfect opportunity for a measure of redemption; if not to celebrate winning a second-tier championship, then to ensure players arrive back into the panel next autumn with something of a pep in their step having tasted some modicum of success. At half-time on Saturday, they led Longford by 1-16 to 0-5 and were clapped off the field in Hawkfield which suggests they are going to attack the next few weeks.

For others, it's a chance to validate the work they've been doing. For Tony McEntee and Sligo, silverware would provide a tangible piece of evidence that they've made significant strides. Fermanagh, who have been extremely sticky opposition in Division Two despite their relegation, are in the same boat. Down, like Sligo, will be sore after a narrow Ulster semi-final exit at the hands of Armagh.

All three of those sides won at the weekend. But then look at the result London pulled off against Offaly, a 2-20 to 0-12 hammering of the home side in Tullamore. It’s their first championship win in eleven years, their last being defeats of Sligo and Leitrim in the Connacht Championship of 2013. You can see what last weekend meant to them and it illustrated exactly what the Tailteann Cup is about – chances for counties starved of success an opportunity to taste it in whatever guise that might be.

Elsewhere, Carlow scored two late, late goals to come away with a draw with a Laois side that had looked full of vigour and enthusiasm in their Division Four league final hammering of Leitrim six weeks ago.

The Tailteann Cup is something that happens off Broadway but slowly and surely it appears as though its potential as a competition is becoming apparent for counties all across the country.

A stepping stone to success is a good way in which to frame the competition. That, to my mind, is the only way in which it will continue to thrive.