Corcoran’s Déise comments water under the bridge

CORK’S Ronan Curran and Eoin Kelly of Waterford don’t expect Brian Corcoran’s controversial comments about Waterford to be an issue when the two counties clash in the Allianz NHL on Sunday in Walsh Park.

In his autobiography, published before Christmas, Corcoran said that the Cork hurlers viewed their Waterford counterparts as a collection of individuals rather than a team, a statement which angered many in Waterford.

Curran addressed the issue directly at a press conference yesterday in the Granville Hotel, Waterford, ahead of the glamour tie: “I don’t think that’ll be an issue. Brian is obviously a legend to all of us who played with him, and to everyone in Cork, and he’s entitled to write whatever he wanted to in the book. Personally I’m not going to comment on anything that would be said in the dressing-room.”

Kelly echoed Curran’s comments: “I haven’t read it, so I just don’t know what was said. No-one’s brought it up in the Waterford camp and I wouldn’t expect anyone to, either.”

New Cork boss Gerald McCarthy — a former Waterford senior manager — described the comments as unhelpful last week.

Waterford hurling fans and players still have “good time” for McCarthy, according to Eoin Kelly.

“There’d be good will towards Gerald in Waterford, certainly the likes of Ken (McGrath) and Tony (Browne) would have a lot of time for him. I was only on the panel for a short time when Gerald was in charge, but people would have good time for him. He’s a good hurling man and he gave Waterford hurlers a lot of confidence.”

Kelly was in the headlines over the winter due to a long-running dispute with Mount Sion which was only resolved when the forward transferred to intermediate club Passage. He’s anxious now to focus on hurling matters.

“I’ve put all of that behind me there’s a full season ahead, and I’m concentrating on playing for Waterford and Passage. There’s no hassle within the Waterford camp with the Mount Sion lads. We’re all playing for Waterford, not our clubs.”

Tony Browne is due back at training this week for the Déise. He was given much of the winter off to recharge his batteries. Paul Flynn faces four or five more weeks of rehabilitation before he’ll rejoin the panel. A decision will be made later in the week as to whether to risk John Mullane, who has a finger injury.