Gardiner feels harshly treated

John Gardiner believes he was harshly treated by All-Ireland final Cork boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy, suggesting his axing was linked to his reputation as a central figure in the last strike crisis.

The two-time All-Ireland medallist has been a regular at Cork games all year and will attend Sunday’s final at Croke Park. But he believes he could still be playing a significant role and that Barry-Murphy’s decision last winter to drop him was premature.

Gardiner, 30, said that after the decision was explained to him, he ‘‘came away as wise from the conversation’’ and was frustrated to be pushed out instead of afforded the opportunity to quit himself after 11 seasons.