Young Cats are ready to pounce if they get half a chance
From flagfall this season, manager Brian Cody was stating his faith in those lads, claiming that despite all opinion to the contrary, he would be sticking by them through the championship.
He stuck to his word, and how he has been rewarded. National League winners, Leinster champions, All-Ireland champions.
“I think it was with more hope than belief we kept going,” reckoned Martin Comerford.
“The big boys, Charlie, John Power, DJ, they’d be in the back of your mind. But I suppose the way it’s going, it’s becoming a young man’s game, young legs, Croke Park is after opening up hugely. Mr Cody stuck with me, and I’m delighted he did.”
So he should, because in his first season with the seniors, the 6’4” giant with the telescopic arm has managed the full collection of medals, with an Allstar surely to come.
“He clicked in at the right time, a lucky ould hoor!” laughed big brother and captain, Andy; “look at the hardship I had to go through to collect my first one! But he was one of the pieces of the jig-saw puzzle we needed, and it worked out. Mind you, the man from Gowran coming back was critical as well.”
Another jig-saw piece was Jimmy Coogan, a cousin of the Comerfords, though playing with a rival club, famed Tullaroan.
Where the younger Comerford’s arrival was flagged early on, outstanding league performances that included a toasting of Cork’s full-back colossus Diarmuid O’Sullivan and a taster of what was to come on Sunday in a league game against Clare and Brian Lohan in Ennis, Coogan came out of the blue.
A late sub in the semi-final championship win over Tipperary, his 1-1 in a few minutes of play got him the nod for the starting wing-forward berth in the All-Ireland final.
All that young talent is impressive, and with an average age somewhere in the early to mid-20’s, one would think they will be around for years.
However, by Cody’s creed, there is no room for complacency, no respect for reputation. Do it now, or begone. Coming up fast behind these lads is a hugely impressive crop of even younger players, the minors who trounced Tipperary.
They won’t be anxious to sit and wait, watch these lads gathering the glory. The pressure will be there, and will be kept on, as Michael Rice, the eloquent captain of that side, explained.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge, we know that. You look at this year’s panel, Tommy Walsh and Brian Dowling two minors from last year, exceptional players but they didn’t get a game.
“ It takes a lot of hard work, but you have to try.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
