‘Privileged’ Sean Óg joins Rebels’ greats as lifetime dream comes true

IT was a dream realised as sportsman supreme Seán Óg Ó hAilpín joined the greats by leading Cork to victory in Croke Park yesterday.

“From the days I started school in the North Mon and joined the Na Piarsaigh club, it was always pointed out to me that the greatest honour for a Cork hurler is to go up the steps to the Hogan Stand and be presented with the MacCarthy Cup.

“I am honoured and privileged to have achieved that distinction now and I can honestly say what all those people told me was dead on,” said an elated Cork captain.

“As expected, Galway really put it up to us and even though we got a good start they kept breathing down our necks and when they scored the goal in the second half to come within a point of us, things began to look scary for a while.

“But the fact that we never allowed them to put back-to-back scores together, particularly at that stage, saved our title and carried us to victory,” said Sean Óg, who is certain to be accorded a hero’s welcome on his return to Cork.

When the going got really tough in the second half and Galway sensed momentarily that they could snatch this one after all, Sean Óg said his mind temporarily flashed back to the 1990 final which was also a gripping affair.

Sean Óg believed it was Cork’s greater experience that ultimately carried the day and preserved their remarkable unbeaten run in All-Ireland final duels with the Tribesmen.

“In hindsight, I would say that throughout the match we were more comfortable on the ball than Galway, and even though we got the rub of the green at times, we were able to put in that block or flick when danger threatened.

“There was little in it but I think our composure that stemmed from our experience stood us in good stead as Galway threw everything bar the kitchen sink at us.”

What does the future hold for Cork? He replied: “We will make hay while the sun shines. We will live for today and relish our success. Tomorrow is another day. For the moment I am just so proud to have led an amazing bunch of players and colleagues to Cork’s 30th All-Ireland success.”