Gardiner: relations with Déise soured

BRIAN CORCORAN’S comments about Waterford in his autobiography have soured the relationship between Cork and their Munster neighbours, admits John Gardiner.

The two counties have engaged in some titanic tussles in recent years and on Sunday in the NHL semi-final at Semple Stadium, they meet for the second time since the publication of Every Single Ball.

Corcoran described the Déise side as a “bunch of individuals” in his book and Gardiner admitted the words had probably touched a raw nerve.

“It probably has,” said the Na Piarsaigh player. “Brian is going to tell the truth. He is very honest. He has obviously upset a lot of people in Waterford but that’s the way we did prepare for those matches. I can guarantee you, if you go around to any dressing room they will be preparing for games differently and that’s just one of the ways we prepared … and it worked.”

There was little sign of any increased animosity last month when the two counties played out a superb fixture at a packed Walsh Park but the stakes are raised on Sunday with a place in the decider on offer.

Waterford may be without a league title since 1963 and an All-Ireland since 1959, but Gardiner has no sympathy. Like Sunday’s opponents, he has yet to win a league medal.

“Most of this (Cork) team have no league medal and, when there is a final place at stake, it is going to add to the occasion. Waterford are an excellent team and they have come so close in the last number of years.

“We can’t have sympathy for them on Sunday. We are out to win it. If they win, fair play to them. You might have sympathy when you look back but not when you are involved.”

Gardiner admits the league has been down the list of Cork’s priorities in recent times due to the fact that, unlike Kilkenny, they are guaranteed serious opposition in the provincial championship.

This year though, reaching the latter stages has been a pillar in their season’s foundations.

“Last year we didn’t qualify for the latter stages of the league and it didn’t affect our preparations that much.

This year we need it more with the new management and new players.

“A few good players have come in, the likes of Pat Cronin and Kevin Hartnett. We’ve had good young fellas coming through like Cathal Naughton.

“You’re obviously not going to replace guys like Brian Corcoran and Wayne Sherlock in the morning but I’m sure the youth will get the opportunity to prove themselves again on Sunday.”

Gardiner paid tribute to Sherlock, who left the panel last month, and said the players have not given up hope that Blackrock defender would play some part again this season.

“He’s a huge player, a huge fella to have in the dressing room. I believe that he has a lot to offer and we are hoping that he will come back again.”