Eyes on the prize

In his usual understated way, midfielder Jerry O'Connor has become a critical cog in Cork's drive to a second All-Ireland final. Diarmuid O'Flynn reports.

ON THE evening that Cork beat Clare to qualify for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final, I visited friends in Dublin.

On the TV, as we were discussing the ups and downs of the game, Phil Mickelson was coming down the stretch in the final round of the US PGA. We were half-watching Phil, volume turned down, as he produced a magical flop-shot to tie down a second major success. Then the camera zoomed in on his face, really tight, close up.