True superstar will be sorely missed

Sean Óg Ó hAilpín’s announcement that he has retired from inter-county hurling signals the end of an era — the last outfield link with Cork’s All-Ireland-winning team of 1999.

He has been a defensive stalwart for the Rebels since he made his debut in 1996 and arguably his performances since then mark him out as Cork’s most consistent and effective defender throughout that period.

I had the privilege of coaching Seán Óg in his early teenage years in school and with Cork in 2003 and 2004.