John Allen a leader of men

John Allen remains the last Cork hurling manager to win the All-Ireland — and the last Limerick manager to win the Munster Championship, yet his achievements and methods have tended to be underestimated.

These days it’s the challenge of the concertina more than coaching that is focusing the mind.

About a quarter of an hour into a conversation with John Allen and it dawns on you that while you’re the one that requested the interview, so far he’s the one that has asked most of the questions. About your children.