Healthy Cork can go the distance

HE walked away at the top. Now Donal O’Grady talks to Michael Moynihan about the Cork forwards, the Kilkenny backs, and why the grass in housing estates tells you everything you need to know about modern hurling.

DONAL O’GRADY left them wanting more. The Barr's clubman led Cork to All-Ireland success in 2004, but left after his agreed term of two years because of the demands of his nine to five as principal of one of Ireland’s top schools, Gaelcholaiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh. Although he has returned to civilian life, O’Grady keeps abreast of events in the trenches. On the Cork hurlers’ decision not to go Singapore yesterday with the Allstars, he expressed great sympathy with the troops.

“Look at the schedule. Some of the Cork players were involved with Munster, so they were in Boston for a week before Christmas. They’ve had the trip to South Africa scheduled since late September; that’s the better part of three weeks. Most of the players have jobs or are students and they feel they can’t just up and go off again.