Respect, but no time for sentiment for modest Masters

WITH a surname made for headline writers, James Masters’ public profile has been enhanced by his scoring exploits with club and county ever since he captained Cork to victory over Mayo in the All-Ireland minor final of 2000.

However, in private, he’s quite different. Modest about his achievements, and genuine in his admission that in a Nemo Rangers set-up where there is so much competition for places, he is not guaranteed automatic selection.

On Sunday he’s in line to win his fifth Cork senior football championship medal when the city side line up against Dohenys in the first meeting of the clubs in a final in 31 years. With strong family connections with West Cork, he’s very much aware of what one victory would mean to the club and the area itself, but at this level of competition there’s no room for emotion. He knows where to draw the line, as does his father, a Bus Éireann inspector from Kilmichael.