Cork hurling manager Denis Walsh has claimed that there is no pressure in his job ahead of today's National Hurling League opener against Offaly.

The Rebels boss was installed into his current position at the end of last March and there was nothing expected of him and he still has no fears over failure ahead of the competitive season which throws-in a 2.30pm at Pairc Ui Chaoimh this afternoon.

"Without being smart, there's no pressure in my job," he told the Irish Star. "If I thought there might have been pressure, then I wouldn't have taken it.

"I'm only interested in hurling and if they can't perform or I can't perform, then we're in trouble and one of us will move on."

Walsh admitted that he had no time to connect with the players or implement a long-term plan of any kind

"This year is much better from my point of view," he added. "I now know the players, and I can get them to understand what's required at this level.

"Last year when I went in, I wouldn't have been able to get inside anyone's head if I wanted them to be stronger mentally or play more defensively, offensively or in a different position.

"You just didn't have the time and the opportunity to do that, but this year I've got to know fellas better from being in contact with them, and we were able to address all the issues you're supposed to address.

"When I was being asked last summer about this, that and the other, I couldn't always truthfully give an answer because I didn't know the answer." Tweet

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