Allen says O’Grady has restored Rebel confidence

JOHN ALLEN is as positive about the Cork preparations for Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland hurling final as he could hope to be.

A respected member of the management, who played as a substitute on the team which completed the last three-in-a-row in 1978, he takes great encouragement from their continuing development, the way the team has evolved over the course of the season and the experience gained through the qualifier series.

And, he is satisfied that, in Donal O'Grady, they have the perfect manager. Allen, a national teacher in Togher, who played his early hurling with Aghabullogue, was a team-mate of his in St Finbarrs, where he enjoyed considerable success in both hurling and football.