Seán Óg: stop comparing Aisake to ‘freak’ Setanta

SEÁN Óg O hAILPÍN has revealed he was never as sure about victory in a big game as he was ahead of Sunday’s 10-point demolition of Tipperary in the Munster SHC quarter-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

And he believes neither he, brother Aisake, or Cork hurling manager Denis Walsh have anything to prove to anyone.

The multiple All-Star and All-Ireland winner was written off in many quarters after being substituted in the league final defeat to Galway, when Aisake’s contribution was also under the microscope.

The younger O hAilpín remains a work in progress, though according to Seán Óg, suffering from comparisons with the other sibling, the “freak” Setanta.

Just a matter of hours after Setanta had scored three goals for Carlton in the AFL, Seán Óg was close to his best in what he called “one of the most pleasing days ever in the Cork jersey”, while Aisake was named man of the match after terrorising Pádraic Maher and Paul Curran in the Tipp defence.

“I’ve no doubt there was a lot of shit written about myself or Aisake, or Denis Walsh being under pressure, but we didn’t listen to any of it,” said Seán Óg on joe.ie. “If you have to rely on these guys to tell you you’re under-performing, you’re nowhere.

“After Aisake’s performance, it would be easy for him to turn around and go to town on the people that were questioning him but he’s not like that. There’s a bit of integrity attached to Aisake.

“Whether he got man of the match or didn’t play well, Aisake doesn’t have to prove anything to me. I know what he’s about. In hurling terms he’s only just back. This is his second year after being away in Australia.

“What he did yesterday might surprise a lot of people but it didn’t surprise me. Days like yesterday define your career and Aisake made a big statement... yesterday was coming. It was just a matter of when.”

O hAilpín went on to point out that Aisake had suffered from very poor supply in the league final, whereas on Sunday, he was the focus of the Cork attack. Whether catching or breaking the ball, he was a constant menace and his direct running caused untold problems when he did gather possession.

“There’s a great saying in Aussie Rules,” continued O hAilpín. “‘When the small men get tired, the tall men don’t get smaller’. If you have a tall fella up there, you have to pump it in long for him. We did that and he delivered.

“Have no doubt, he’s definitely a project. He’s a work in progress, in terms of the technical skills. Many people compare him to Setanta, but Setanta’s a freak. You’ll never get another Setanta. Aisake tended to live very much in his shadow but they’re two different animals.

“He needs to work on skills but I’d rather be that way than not have heart or guts. You can have all the skill you want but if you don’t want to go and contest the ball you’re at the wrong game. 85% of Aisake’s work is done getting into the contest, getting on the ball, putting up the hand, putting pressure on the full back.

“It’s not like he’s completely raw either. The point he got yesterday was incredible. He won the ball, there was about three fellas hanging off him but he burst through. I’d say the ball ended up in Cork city – he blew it right over the stand. So he has the skills, he just needs to hone them.”