Cork camogie team are 'intrinsically motivated — their attitude is incredible’

Niall McCarthy hasn’t stood on the turf of Croke Park since the afternoon of his final Cork appearance in August 2012. He’s returning this Sunday with a team he hadn’t envisaged working with, in a role he hadn’t envisaged holding down. All the same, he’s “absolutely delighted” he took Paudie Murray up on his offer.

The seed was planted last April when the Cork camogie boss and McCarthy crossed paths at a seminar in UCC, the latter having returned to college this time 12 months ago to pursue a degree in Sports Studies and Physical Education. Murray set out his plans to deliver a third consecutive All-Ireland senior crown, before inviting the former Cork hurler onto his management ticket.

McCarthy was entering exam period and so delayed giving the Cork manager an answer until the books had been put away for the summer.