O’Grady resolute as board begs him to stay

DESPITE persistent overtures from Cork GAA chairman Jim Forbes, Donal O’Grady refused to reconsider his decision to step down as coach to the All-Ireland winning Cork hurlers.

“At the end of the 2003 campaign, Donal intimated to me that, win or lose, the 2004 season would be his last with the team. I had spoken to him on several occasions about reconsidering, including three hours with him today (Monday) in the hope that he might change his mind, but Donal was adamant he was leaving”, said Mr Forbes.

Mr Forbes said he deeply regretted O’Grady’s decision but understood his reasons completely.

“It’s no secret that coaching and managing a senior inter-county team is almost a full-time job. Donal is the principal of Scoil Mhuire at the North Mon and is married with a young family, and both were forced to take a back seat while he was involved with the team.

“I would like to place on record, my own and that of the county board, our appreciation of the enormous contribution he has made to the senior hurling team in the two years he has been in charge.

“Most followers only see Donal and the team on match days, and have no idea of what goes on behind the scenes in preparing for games.

“Since taking over in December of 2002, Donal has left no stone unturned in pursuit of All-Ireland glory. Last year things didn’t work out for him but only a few weeks ago he steered the county to its 29th title.

“There is great credit due to him for taking the county to two senior All-Ireland finals in his two years in charge. He was meticulous in his preparation and left nothing to chance going into this year’s championship. Every detail was attended to and he and the team got their just rewards.

“However, the show must go on and the county board will review the situation at next week’s meeting. Expectations in Cork are always high when it comes to hurling, and replacing Donal O’Grady won’t be easy.”

County Board vice-chairman Mick Dolan, who doubled as the liaison officer to the team, said O’Grady would be a huge loss to Cork hurling.

“Donal was a great disciplinarian, organiser and a man with a great respect for the Cork jersey. No doubt about it, hHe has pointed Cork hurling in the right direction.”

All-Ireland winning captain Ben O’Connor said people should realise that Donal agreed to come in for 12 months, but was persuaded to stay for a second year, which couldn’t have been easy for him after the 2003 defeat.

“He has his job done now. He’s got what he wanted, and he obviously feels he has no more to offer. We’ll have to accept that and get on with it.

“Donal has changed Cork hurling for the better. He allowed players to do what they were good at which is always the sign of a good coach.”

Full-back Diarmuid O’Sullivan asked that every effort be made by the county board and the players to get him (O’Grady) to change his mind.

“I didn’t have the best of starts with him, but once I realised what Donal was about, I got stuck in and thankfully got what I was after, an All-Ireland medal. I have never met a man to be so professional in an amateur game. If he was a manager of a Premiership team in England I’ve no doubt he would be equally successful.”

Waterford coach Justin McCarthy, the only manager to get the better of O’Grady in the championship accepted there is an inordinate amount of time involved.

“To be an inter-county coach you must have two things, a great passion for the game and secondly, enjoy what you’re doing. Donal had both.

“He played his part in winning this year’s All-Ireland title for Cork and no one can take that from him. People don’t realise what goes into preparing a team and attending to every little detail.

“Results will always influence your decision whether to stay or go. Donal clearly feels it’s time to move on and you have to respect him for that.”

Kilkenny coach Brian Cody said he was surprised at O’Grady’s decision given that he had just steered Cork to All-Ireland glory.

“He obviously did a great job as a manager. In his first year he took the team to Munster honours and an All-Ireland final, and this year he won the title. He certainly is going out on a very high note.

“I know the job demands every minute of your time and a bit more if you can find it, but it’s a job you can only do if you absolutely want to.

“Donal obviously feels he cannot devote the time any more and perhaps he wants to pursue other things. I would like to wish him all the best for the future.”