Sean Óg: My first thoughts were of Setanta
"My thoughts immediately after the match were for my brother, Setanta, who really believed that we could beat Kilkenny last year. How ironic that we won it this year without him, but he came up the night before and wished every player the best.
"I could see it was hard for him but fair dues to him for doing it, because for a long while it was touch and go whether he'd make it back from Australia."
Setanta didn't linger in Dublin after the game - "he went straight back down, he felt it was the lads' night" - but he was part of the image that defined summer 2003 for Cork as the tear-stained youngster was comforted by his older brother after the defeat by Kilkenny.
A year later the regal wing-back pauses for thought: "What a difference 12 months make. We were so close last year and we wanted to prove that we were capable of winning an All-Ireland.
"This year's victory was based on two years' hard work by Donal and the backroom team. We've endured a lot in the last two years, we've had some incredible ups and downs."
One of those downs came in Thurles in the provincial decider against Waterford. "This year's journey was looking good until the Munster Final, but that result took us on a different path, and it might have worked out better for us.
"My defining moment of the year was the Wednesday night after the Waterford game. Donal got fellas geed up with the best speech I've ever heard from a manager.
"He said: 'Look, the challenge games are over now; this is championship.' I think it dawned on fellas that it was game on. We focused, we re-grouped, and we got stronger as a team."
Ó hAilpín's faith in his team-mates was strong and he was never unduly worried after the opening 35 minute spell in Croke Park.
"I knew we were capable of a performance like the second half we probably hadn't shown that this year, with the exception of the Wexford game and as a team you're not valued until you do it in an All-Ireland final."
The effort and commitment meant the result offered accomplishment rather than elation. "I'm more relieved than happy," agreed the All Star defender. "If we'd lost, you'd be facing into long, hard nights in the gym during the winter and you'd ask yourself, 'Is this worth it?'"
It was worth it five years ago, when Cork took the underdog route to an unexpected All-Ireland, but for Sean Óg that half-a-decade seems longer.
"It might be five years since we won it, but it seems like 500. I appreciate winning this one a bit more, myself and the other lads from, say, the '95 minor side, but winning is no more than this group of players deserve.
"At times some individuals have been ridiculed by the media over performances, but people have to realise we go back to work on Monday morning.
"Professional sportsmen, guys like Setanta, they're paid to take that kind of criticism. Constructive criticism is a different matter, but any sportsman worth his salt doesn't need to be told whether or not he's performed well nobody knows it better than himself."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
