Dan emerging from shadows

Daniel Kearney owes much to Jimmy Barry-Murphy. At 5’9 and of slight build, Kearney certainly does not fit the stereotypical mould of an inter-county player.

Overlooked by Denis Walsh in 2011, Kearney was struggling to establish himself in the Cork bull pen a year on from departing the U21 ranks. In the winter of Barry-Murphy’s return to the bainisteoir’s bib, the call came through.

The Cork manager wasn’t interested in a game-plan which prioritised strength over skill, physique over flair.