Lane leaving nothing to chance

GER LANE didn’t feel the need to go shopping for UN emblazoned body armour for his first meeting with the Cork senior footballers earlier this year.

For those with short memories let’s bring you up to speed on the scenario that Lane, the Board’s newly appointed football liaison officer, was parachuting into.

Teddy Holland appointed football boss in late 2007. Players not happy with the system used to appoint Holland’s management team. Players refuse to play in early 2008. Board left red-faced and apoplectic. Players wouldn’t budge. Hurlers get involved. Holland and company resign. Conor Counihan steps in and leads them to All-Ireland semi-final replay.

Back then with the dust still settling, Lane finds himself standing before a room full of men, who had declared war, on his board colleagues a year earlier. While others may have reached for the riot shield and water cannon, the Bride Rovers club man, walked straight in and set out his stall.

He recalled: “I became PRO in December and shortly afterwards I was asked by the board to be liaison officer to the football team. I got stuck in straight away, meeting the players and management, attending training session and matches, providing a link between the panel and the board.”

But surely that first get together must have been a tad uncomfortable, knowing your every word and gesture was being studied in minute detail?

“In light of the recent differences between players and the board, yes there was a lot of bridge building to be done. But what probably helped was that I was new. I didn’t have any history or any baggage. And I said that from day one.“I was straight down the middle when I met the players. I was coming in with a blank sheet. My objective from day one was that I was a man of my word and that the players could trust me. And I think that we have all achieved what we set out to achieve.”

Lane began his task far from the glamour of the All-Ireland final. He was in constant contact with Conor Counihan and his management team.

“Everything from organising training, booking grounds, sorting meals, travel arrangements, hotel stays, garda escorts, gear, kit, you name it and I’ve done it. It is all the day-to-day stuff which people don’t think about. But if one thing is missing it has a domino effect. There is no room for error. Everything has to be right, the players and Conor demand high standards. So for example during the league we would look at each game on a match by match basis. How would we travel? Would we overnight? Would fellas have to finish work early? I would discuss these with Conor and the management and would make it happen.”

Lane is effusive in his praise for Counihan, the man and the manager.

“Coming from east Cork, I wouldn’t have known a lot of the players personally but I would have known Conor going back through the years. His secret? I think he is a very good man manager. He is very fair. Every player on the squad from one to 30 odd, is important to Conor.

“What he has achieved as a player adds to the respect he garners. Everyone knows where they stand and he lays down the law, if he has to. He is cool and calm and always in control.”

But Lane is quick to add that this isn’t an overnight success story,.

“The potential was always there. Conor and his backroom team, physio, doctor, masseurs, psychologist, players are there. Football in Cork seems to be on a crest of a wave with the juniors, U21s and the seniors. Hopefully, that will continue and hopefully the most welcome guest at our post-match reception will be Sam Maguire.”

Lane is certain the turmoils of the past have been consigned to history.

“I don’t know how deep those scars were. But from the football point of view there are no scars there now. Everybody felt it was important that we put the past behind us and got everything back on track. The players have certainly made me feel welcome and I would think that we have all moved on. Facing Kerry in an All-Ireland final — this is where we want to be.”