Cork cull didn’t surprise Ó hAilpín

Séan Óg Ó hAilpín says he wasn’t one bit surprised by Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s winter cull of Cork hurling legends.

Former All-Ireland winning captain Ó hAilpín admitted the decision to axe John Gardiner was ‘baffling’ and that retaining Donal Óg Cusack should have been a ‘no brainer’.

But the three-time All-Ireland medallist, who announced his own retirement last November, said that while he didn’t agree with the developments, he wasn’t surprised by them either.

Ó hAilpín pointed to the dropping of ex-All Star Barry Egan in the late 1990s when Barry-Murphy was also in charge.

“I wouldn’t say surprised by what happened because he did the same with Barry Egan,” said Ó hAilpín .

“Barry Egan won an All Star with Cork in ‘93 and, by ‘99, he would have been around John Gardiner’s age now.

“Himself and Brian Corcoran would have been two experienced fellas and he just got rid of Barry Egan like that. “It was a harsh call so it’s not surprising to me, knowing that he has done it in the past.

“But, look, I just get the feeling with the management team that they’re trying to get ready for three years’ time and they just don’t see us around in three years’ time, which is fair dinkum enough.

Ó hAilpín won his first All-Ireland under Barry-Murphy in ‘99. He insisted that it is important to respect the management’s decisions regarding personnel, admitting ‘we all have to be bigger men and go beyond our egos’.

But he explained why he felt the axing of Cusack, who was Cork captain last year and then fought back from a career threatening Achilles injury, was so strange.

“The reason Donal Óg was the ‘keeper he was, was because he had fellas like Anthony Nash and Martin Coleman chasing after him and pushing him hard,” continued the Na Piarsaigh man.

“That’s the way competition should be. Anthony Nash had an outstanding season last year. Donal Óg would have been the perfect foil to keep him on his toes.

“In John Gardiner’s case, 29 or 30 years of age, it’s not like Cork are top heavy with experience, especially in the back line.

“I would have felt that John had at least another two, three years easily in him. If not a starting place, then just to be there.

“I don’t make the decisions. It’s up to the management to make the calls.

“Cork are building the backline, midfield and forward lines. There is not much experience there in terms of guys with All-Ireland medals. For that reason alone, it would have been ideal to keep them there.”

As for Ó hAilpín himself, the former wing-back gave the first strong indication that he may some day manage Cork. During his playing days he consistently distanced himself from talk of ever managing Cork, only stating that he fancied a role at underage level with his club.

But speaking at yesterday’s launch of the 2013 An Post Cycle Series, which takes place this summer, he revealed for the first time coaching the Rebels is something that excites him.

“Yeah, I’d love to see myself down the road giving something back that I would have gotten out of my playing years and if coaching Cork teams is the route, then so be it,” said Ó hAilpín .

“I’d like to see myself helping out with teams in some shape or fashion.”

Asked if he’ll actively seek a Cork role, Ó hAilpín claimed he’ll more likely wait to be called.

“I think when you deal with Páirc Uí Chaoimh it’s them asking you instead of the other way around really,” he added.