Aisake set to join Setanta

AISAKE Ó hAILPÍN is poised to join his brother Setanta back in Australia for trials with the Carlton club in Melbourne.

Speculation increased yesterday that the youngest brother is due to fly out next Friday, which would mean he would miss new Cork champions, Na Piarsaigh’s AIB Munster club semi-final against Toomevara in Thurles on Sunday. Setanta, meanwhile, was unable to return to Australia as planned yesterday after his planned flight from Cork was postponed because of fog.

The position regarding Aisake was the subject of fevered speculation in Cork yesterday, with Na Piarsaigh team officials in the dark regarding his intentions, or his availability for next Sunday’s game.

However, the understanding is that he may have been offered a trial by the Carlton club. There had been speculation last week about a possible move for Sean Óg, following his excellent form in the International Rules Series against Australia in Croke Park, but he himself ruled that out.

As a result of Na Piarsaigh’s victory at the week-end, it’s clear that the captaincy of the Cork team next season will rest between Sean Óg and John Gardiner, who was yesterday honoured as the ‘man-of-the-match’ in the permanent tsb county final.

The club will also nominate a representative on the Cork hurling selection committee, but this decision is likely to be put on hold while they are involved in the club championship. The speculation is that the position could be filled either by coach Paul O’Connor, a former Cork hurler, or Joe O’Leary, the former referee. In the past, John Gardiner’s father, John, and Tony O’Sullivan served for a year as selectors.

Cork manager John Allen has yet to announce his choice for the other vacant position on the Cork selection committee. Informed sources indicate that it will not go to Donal Collins (a selector under Donal O’Grady the first year). One of the other names being mentioned is that of Ger Cunningham, who helped out with the coaching of the team last year.

John Gardiner’s major contribution to Na Piarsaigh’s victory over Cloyne on Sunday was formally recognised at a luncheon hosted by permanent tsb at the Blarney Park Hotel. It marked the tenth year of the sponsorship and the bank’s Tomás Mulcahy pointed out that the first function held under their control followed Na Piarsaigh’s second success in the county championship. And, on that occasion the player they honoured was the current club coach Paul O’Connor.

Club chairman Paddy Connery said that while they took great pride in John Gardiner’s display, it was poignant that his uncle, Thomas, a pillar of the club, had died over the week-end. “John has been playing brilliant hurling for the past few years and his performance on Sunday was outstanding. He is still only 21, but he’s playing the best hurling of his life,’’ he said.

County board chairman Jim Forbes complimented both teams on the part they had played on another magnificent occasion for Cork hurling and agreed that John Gardiner had been a worthy winner of the award. “John’s point at the end of the game was a tremendous score and was regarded as one of the best seen in the county championship in a number of years.”

Congratulating Na Piarsaigh on their success, Mr. Forbes said that Cloyne could take a lot of pride in the standard they produced over the course of their campaign.