Cusack plays down hype

If there’s one man who knows the danger of being too presumptuous it’s Cork senior hurling captain Donal Óg Cusack.

A leading member of the team that won an unexpected All-Ireland title in 1999, it was presumed then that with such a young and talented side Cork would go on to dominate the intercounty scene for quite a few years. A year later however they were beaten at the penultimate hurdle by Offaly, and in the early stages of the new century they struggled to build on that expected promise.

One strike later, however, and they were back. They were crowned Munster champions in 2003, All-Ireland champions in 2004 and 2005. Another dynasty was presumed on the rise. Again it didn’t happen and after another bout of turmoil Cork hurling has struggled since.