Punditry can recoup Lar’s lost earnings

Lar Corbett could earn as much from punditry this year as he would have done from his profile as a playeraccording to an industry expert.

Pembroke Communications director Mick O’Keeffe said the 2010 Hurler of the Year could secure up to €10,000 this year, a figure close to what he would have accrued last year in terms of sponsorship, endorsement deals and public appearances.

The 30-year-old’s 2010 season saw his earning capacity shoot through the roof when he scored three goals in the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny and land the All Star and GPA Player of the Year awards. Corbett won a €33,000 Opel car for the latter title.

O’Keeffe said: “Lar Corbett is one of the top five hurlers in the country, profile-wise. Someone of his stature could earn €5,000 to €10,000 in punditry and being a brandambassador. He’s likely to lose out on sponsors being out of the game but it could turn out to be cost neutral for him. He’s still newsworthy, more newsworthy in some respects because of his departure from the Tipperary set-up.”

Corbett featured in Guinness’ Hurling Greats promotion last summer, the launch of the AIB club championships in October as well as Newstalk’s championship schedule in May. Corbett has previously endorsed Aviva and Lidl products.

Meanwhile, Tipperary boss Declan Ryan denied there were any other reasons for Corbett’s decision to leave other than the business commitments the player cited.

It has been suggested there may have been an in-camp falling out but the Clonoulty-Rossmore rejected it.

Ryan told RTÉ Radio One: “Absolutely not, no. We hold Lar in the highest regard and we value the contribution he has given to Tipperary hurling over the last 11 years. As I said to the players at training, his record over the last three years would be the envy of any forward. He had an excellent year in 2010 and last year he again hit a high standard. He may have been disappointed with the way things ended up, but he is not alone there.”

Ryan hopes Corbett will reconsider his decision in the coming weeks.

“We will have to respect Lar’s decision for the time being and give him the space he requires. He has been a fantastic servant to the county, fully committed, and he now intends to give that commitment to his business. It’s only fair we give him the time to assess the situation.”