Ó hAilpín predicts rise of the Rebels

He’s just an interested spectator these days, and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín plans to keep it that way, but from his viewpoint Cork are set up for a positive summer.

The former All-Ireland-winning captain knows that sounds a little odd considering they barely avoided relegation in the Allianz League but he fancies their chances.

“I actually think Cork will go well. I’d be confident they will be one of the three to go through in Munster,” said Ó hAilpin. “On the basis that in the GAA year there are two seasons; the season of muck and shite and the season of hard ground where the weather will get better. Playing the marquee games in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Thurles, and Croke Park I think will be more suited to this Cork team than playing in Wexford Park on a dreary Sunday afternoon in February afternoon getting horsed out of it by 15 or 16-stone guys. That gives me confidence that I reckon Cork will hit the ground running when the games start.”