Ó Sé plays down talkof ‘grudge’meeting

Kerry star Tomás Ó Sé has poured cold water on any suggestions of a grudge between Cork and Kerry ahead of this weekend’s NFL clash between the two counties while Cork dual star Eoin Cadogan revealed that he is adhering to a pre-planned sequence of hurling and football games agreed between Rebel managers Conor Counihan and Jimmy Barry-Murphy at the start of the year.

Ó Sé said: “I don’t think there’s much of a grudge. These are two good teams but I don’t think it’s over-physical, I don’t think there have been any big incidents. I’m living in Cork and I find if it’s left on the field, it’s done and finished and there’s no nastiness. I haven’t come across any in the ten years I’m living here anyway.”

The Kerry star added that the influx of new young players has rejuvenated the Kingdom.

“We were expecting a tougher test from Donegal but the lads did very well, they were very focused and ready for it. The Armagh game probably gave us the kick in the backside we needed, and hopefully we won’t be caught flat-footed like that again. It’s the kind of thing that rankles — you wouldn’t want to get caught like that at a more serious time of the year.

“James O’Donoghue was showing up well until he got injured. Barry John Keane is showing up well again – people forget how young he is – and Brian McGuire and Peter Crowley are all doing well. They’re all pushing the older fellas, and they’ll be pushing at championship time, which is what you want. Normally lads come in and push for the league, but I think these lads are here for the long haul, which is a healthy way to have it.

“The game this weekend will be a good test for them – double-headers with the hurling are a great idea, particularly in a county like Cork, where you have a big GAA following. It’ll be a tough test, because normally you’d play Cork early in the league when fellas are only coming back, but now it’s three games in so players are sharper. You’d be hoping for a good quality game – it mightn’t be at full championship pace but it’ll be fast.

“The younger lads will get their run, I’d say, and Cork are in the top three in the country so it’ll be a good test for them.”

Eoin Cadogan praised the double-header concept: “It’s a good idea to have the two games together, you’ll probably get a good crowd for the bank holiday as well, the atmosphere should be good.

“Both of us have a good few games under our belt so the tempo should be high. The Laois game was a good win, and getting goals is always a help, but Laois were missing a few as well.”

Cadogan outlined how his season has been planned.

“There’s a structure there, Jimmy (Barry-Murphy) and Conor (Counihan) met to discuss that early in the year. There are only three or four clashes anyway, but they mapped it out so I know exactly what I’m doing every weekend.

“For instance, I knew weeks ago I’d be with the hurlers last week and I knew I’d be playing football this week, there’s no surprises and once the two lads are accommodating there’s no problem. The sequence of games is agreed and I’ll be sticking to that.”

Last weekend saw Cork edge out Dublin by a point in the hurling league.

“It was a good win, good in terms of experience for the younger lads, you get used to the pitch, the buzz of the stadium, the whole experience of being in Dublin – and the experience of winning a game in Croke Park, having been four points down with ten minutes left. Dublin were under strength, maybe, but we can only look after our own house and we were delighted with the win.”