Corbett admits he was dogged by unfounded betting claims

Lar Corbett has vehemently dismissed suggestions he gambled on himself not scoring in this year’s Munster SHC final.

In his autobiography, All In My Head, which is published today, the 2010 Hurler of the Year says he takes great exception to unfounded betting claims he admits plagued him this summer.

Corbett also reveals RTÉ issued him with an apology after the suggestion was jokingly made on The Sunday Game that he had put money on himself not to contribute to the scoresheet against Waterford.

Recalling that he first heard the whispers the day after Tipperary’s win, Corbett said: “The word on the street was that a few of my mates had put the bet on as well and the dividends were rich.

“There were odds of 33/1 on offer, or something like that, for me not to raise a flag. And we had creamed the bookies, don’t you know.”

At the end of July, former Cork star Tomás Mulcahy remarked on The Sunday Game that Corbett had placed a bet on himself not to score against Waterford in the Munster final.

Programme editor Paul Byrnes and Mulcahy contacted Corbett the following day to offer their apologies, which the player accepted. However, he adds: “I’ve been thinking about it since. Thousands of people heard those comments and yet only one man heard an apology. All I can say to anyone who doubts me, apart from the fact that the rumours are totally slanderous, is where are these bookies that took the bets?”

The Thurles Sarsfields man, who lines out against Kilmallock in Sunday’s Munster club SHC quarter-final, also reveals he got the idea to “mark” Tommy Walsh in this year’s All-Ireland semi-final from an Australian Rules coach. Having been welcomed to visit the Greater Western Sydney Giants by ex-Cork hurler Aisake Ó hAilpín and former Cavan footballer Nicholas Walsh, Corbett approached the club’s assistant coach Stewart Edge as he specialised in forwards.

Corbett articulated to him that he had prepared exactly the same for the 2010 All-Ireland final when “a ball would have gone in off my arse” as he did for last year’s final and yet he had been “dogged” by Jackie Tyrrell and didn’t score.

Edge informed him he had been “tagged” and advised him of a number of options to avoid it happening again.

According to Corbett, Stewart said: “You can play a role for the team; try and roam and find space.

“Take the defender out of his comfort zone into a position he is most uncomfortable with. The movement you create will open room for others.”

Corbett also tells of how he, Eoin Kelly and John O’Brien travelled to Dublin to try and convince Nicky English to succeed Liam Sheedy after he stepped down following their 2010 success.

* Lar Corbett – All In My Head is published by Transworld Ireland, priced at €16.99.