Lehane still haunted by final failure
Patrick Horgan’s stoppage-time point, propelling Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s men in front for the first time in proceedings, had moved Cork within seconds of Liam MacCarthy glory. Further drama ensued, however, and Clare corner-back Domhnall O’Donovan ensured a second outing was required, one which Clare won by six points.
Added to the frustration of having victory snatched from their grasp, the 21-year-old expressed disappointment at the team’s failure, in both final contests, to match the performance delivered in the penultimate round win over Dublin.
“There is a regret there that we didn’t finish it out the first day,” Lehane said.
“We didn’t play to the best we could have and we didn’t play as well as we had in previous matches.
“We didn’t finish up with any silverware at the end of the year and that is the main reason why you go out and play, to try and win as much as you can. When you don’t bring home any silverware it is a learning curve and that is the only thing you can take from it.
“It is mixed emotions really when you reflect on 2013. It was a great year because we got so far, but obviously it was a huge disappointment to lose both Munster and All-Ireland hurling finals.
“To be involved in both games was an unbelievable experience, it will help us going forward and it was great for everyone in the county that Cork hurling was back competing at the top end of the championship. Overall, yeah, it was a good year, but obviously it wasn’t the best year it could have been.
“Once we get back collective training it will be hell for leather. We are heading over to America for a team holiday in early January and when we come back from that then it will be straight into it. It is nice to get a break from what was a long year, but I know there will be lads gunning to go once we get into the new year.”
Cork head into 2014 without the services of Tom Kenny and though surprised to see the 32-year-old call time on his inter-county career, Lehane is optimistic the addition of Aidan Walsh will negate that loss.
“It was a surprise really to see Tom go. I definitely thought there was another few years left in him, especially with the way he minded himself. He has been a huge servant for the county and I really enjoyed playing with him.
“The fact that Aidan is coming in is a huge boost. He is so good in the air and he has such skill. An addition like that is immense. Anybody that is good enough to be on the panel should be on it.
“He has been tied up with the footballers and obviously he wouldn’t commit to both if he didn’t think he could manage the dual role. There is no fear there.”
A return to Division 1 of the National League represents Cork’s first goal of the forthcoming campaign and while hopeful of another long summer, the Midleton sharpshooter claimed they won’t be looking beyond May 25 and their Thurles date with Waterford.
“It is obviously a disappointment to be in Division 2 of the league. It wasn’t a great start to the season going into the championship getting relegated.
“We know that league and championship are two completely different things. You could see that this year.
“Ourselves and Clare meeting in the relegation final of Division 1 and then five months later or so it was we who were meeting in the All-Ireland final. You can never tell what way it will go. Certainly it is going to be a challenge to get back up to Division 1 of the league and we won’t be taking any teams for granted in Division 2. We won’t be looking at it as a downfall because there are still top teams there that we will have to overcome.
“In the championship we won’t be looking any further than Waterford. If you do that you might as well throw in the towel already. You have to play what is ahead of you and that is what management drilled into us from day one.”
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