Nothing personal

AT one stage, Justin McCarthy spoke as if he was wearing his Cork hat. He was talking about the Rebel county’s approach to the Munster championship and who better to articulate it.

"There is an air of confidence always in Cork, don't forget. We never played a game we thought we couldn't win." Wearing his Waterford hat, he quickly added: "and I'm the same."

McCarthy has been spreading the hurling gospel in different parts of the country for over three decades. He has been doing so ever since his playing career ended prematurely following his unfortunate motorbike accident prior to the 1969 All-Ireland final. Just eight years later he was coach to the Clare team (with Fr Harry Bohan as manager) which opposed Cork in the first of two consecutive Munster finals. So, he knows what it's all about being on the opposite side to his native county.