Unlikely leader realistic about Rebel hopes

HIS name wasn’t even mentioned when everybody was speculating about the successor to Bertie Óg Murphy as Cork hurling coach.

But, when the name of Donal O'Grady entered the public arena just before Christmas, he was ratified by the County Board in double-quick time. Unique in the sense that he is the first to be able to pick his own selectors (apart from county champions Blackrock still being allowed to name their own man), he never had any ambitions to take on management at this level.

Even after the initial approach, he wasn't sure that he wanted to take it on. "In the last couple of years, it's more the schools I have been involved with because of pressure of time," he explains. "If I was to put my hand on my heart, I'd have to say that I didn't lay it out as an ambition."