Cusack lauds Matthews’ input

Dónal Óg Cusack has praised the contribution of former Irish Olympian Dave Matthews to the Cork senior hurling setup this season in his new role as team physical trainer.

Matthews was recruited by Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy last November to fill the position as he assembled his backroom team. Coming from an athletics background has been of benefit, according to Cork captain Cusack, as Matthews has brought a fresh perspective to a side unbeaten after two games of their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A campaign.

“Dave was an 800m runner and, I don’t know much about athletics, but I do know that 800m is one of the toughest and most torturous disciplines in sport. It takes a certain type of character to go through that and it takes a certain type of character to be an Olympian at that level.

“He has absolute respect from all of us. It’s good to get someone totally outside the setup. In any aspect of life, it’s good to get a perspective from outside. He sets very high standards and he doesn’t expect anything other than total commitment to training. We’ve had a tough time with him over the last couple of months but it can only do us good.”