Christy Ring, more than a friend, a second father, says Denis Coughlan

Denis Coughlan was one of hurling’s greatest ever wing backs who played for one of its greatest ever teams, the Cork side that 40 years ago this summer defeated Clare in a seminal Munster final on their way to winning a third All-Ireland in a row. But the greatest hurler ever was a selector to that team, one Christy Ring, someone who went from a distant clubmate to a very close friend and confidante, writes Keiran Shannon .

AS the great exodus from Cork to Thurles is at its height tomorrow, a Garda escort with its wailing sirens ensuring a safe passage for the Cork team bus, it may prompt memories among the more senior of the county’s supporters’ ranks of just how chaotic it was 40 years ago this summer when again the county faced Clare in a Munster final.