Hodnett: We did it for Rorys

Cork U21 football co-captain Donal Óg Hodnett dedicated their Munster title to panellist Rory O’Connor, who was tragically killed in a car crash last February.

O’Connor was a member of the Cork U21 squad last season prior to his death and would have been eligible for the grade again this year. A tribute was paid to the Lyre player by Aidan Walsh in his victory speech when Cork claimed the provincial crown in Páirc Uí Rinn last April and after retaining the title on Wednesday in Tralee, O’Connor was mentioned again by Cork co-captain Rory O’Sullivan.

“That was a big motivation for us,” said Hodnett.

“When you’ve a young fella like that, one of the nicest fellas you could ever meet or talk to, looking down on you from heaven, you know he’s going to bless you. He was involved last year and would have been on this team as well.”

Hodnett also paid tribute to Rory O’Sullivan who missed out on Wednesday’s victory after suffering the setback of tearing his cruciate ligament for the second time in 13 months during Cork’s recent semi-final win over Clare.

“This is two years in-a-row for him and it’s depressing stuff really to suffer the same injury again. He’ll be nine or ten months again getting that right. But we did it for him. Looking at Rory before the game in the dressing-room, he nearly had tears in his eyes not being able to play. He could barely watch the game but we did our best for him and he was delighted to accept the trophy afterwards.”

Hodnett recovered from a knee injury that saw him miss the Clare game to start against Kerry and after firing 1-1 during Cork’s success, he is hoping they can build on that in Saturday week’s All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Dublin.

“I was very disappointed not being able to make that game (Clare) but it was great to get the opportunity to start on Wednesday. You have to grasp those opportunities. Personally it’s sweeter than last year’s win as it was very tough coming down to play against a great Kerry team.

“Looking at Dublin’s performances, we know we’re going to be up against it. But we were up against it coming down to Tralee and we came through. We’ll put the head down now and work again.”