Gardiner still hungry as ever for glory

IN 2002, John Gardiner came onto the Cork senior hurling team that lost to Galway in the qualifiers.

Surely the appetite has to wane at some stage?

“No, appetite’s not an issue,” says the wing-back.

“We’re on the road a long time but when you’re on the road that long you’re used to going through to September.

“That’s not being over-confident, but the biggest prize of all is on offer this year, so the appetite’s there.”

It was certainly there against Clare in the Munster semi-final. Some viewed the game as a chance for the Banner to avenge last year’s semi-final; they didn’t know that Cork had the sameattitude.

“From the semi-final last year we knew Clare outplayed us for 50 minutes of that game,” says Gardiner.

“We knew we were going to be under pressure. We just didn’t play up to par that day so this year we went in with the attitude ‘we’ll turn that around’ and I think we did that for the most part.

“Going out early in the league didn’t help our preparation but in fairness to Jerry (Wallace) and Seanie (McGrath), they got us spot-on for the Clare game.”

That physical fitness helps with confidence, says Gardiner. “No matter what game we play we know we’ve got plenty in the tank, especially when you look at lads like Seán Óg, Tom, Jerry, Ben, Ronan – they’re probably the fittest lads around so it’s up to you yourself to make sure you’re able to keep going. It’s great credit to Jerry and Seanie, they always have us fresh for games.”

Not that players need any incentive for a Munster final. Gardiner grins when asked what it’s like to come out of the tunnel in Thurles.

“It’s a huge buzz for us. Running out onto the field at Semple Stadium is probably the part of the day I look forward to the most – you’re nervous beforehand, and then you come out to a huge cheer from the Cork supporters and you’re saying ‘I’m up for it now’ rather than being nervous. When you’re thinking of friends and family going up to support you – it’s fantastic.”

A lot of those Cork supporters will be anxious about one Tipperary player in particular, but the Na Piarsaigh man points to other weapons in the Premier armoury.

“You can’t afford to concentrate on one player. Eoin Kelly is obviously going well, but Micheal Webster can get goals, Lar Corbett came on the last day and got a goal, while Diarmaid Fitzgerald is doing very well for Tipperary since switching up to the forwards as well.

“Fair enough, it’ll probably be in the back of our minds that we’ll have to work harder and get back to close him off, but we can’t concentrate on one man.

“The first day out Tipperary didn’t play as well as they could, maybe, but the second day you could see they were working to a certain game plan. They were very good against Waterford, who are no mugs; we’vestruggled against Waterford in the last couple of years and for Tipperary to beat them like they did was very impressive. Still, this is our fourth Munster final in a row, and that’s what we’re concentrating on: playing Tipperary, a traditional Munster final, and Cork want to win it as much as ever.”

For Gardiner, who joins Bank of Ireland Finance next month, tradition isn’t just an empty word.

“My first Munster final was Cork-Tipperary in 1991, a draw and a replay Tipp won. It’s a huge day out for a Cork fan – up early, get the sandwiches, head up on the train.

“It’s a great day out – if I wasn’t playing I’d be the first on the train myself!”

The Cork supporters won’t want him queueing in Kent Station for a while yet.