Killian O'Hanlon: Cork retirement was a tough decision but I felt the body wasn’t up to it
TOUGH DECISION: Killian O'Hanlon admits it was a tough decision to retire from Cork. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
It’s been a strange week for Killian O’Hanlon.
Seven days ago with his club Kilshannig he celebrated success in the Cork Premier IFC final following a replay with Aghabullogue.
While still out enjoying themselves, it was announced that the county star wouldn’t be involved in John Cleary’s squad for 2025, along with Damien Gore, Steven Sherlock and John O’Rourke.
Killian and John had decided to retire.
“It was a tough decision,” Killian reflects. “I thought long and hard about it. I suppose it was a frustrating enough year with injuries, I couldn’t get right.
"I said I’d see how the club championship went before I’d make a final call. I’m looking at an operation at the end of the year as well, so I couldn’t give it my all. You have to be all in.
“I missed two years with a cruciate injury. I've had a lot of hamstring injuries and recurring hip issues. You have to be going well to give it your best.
"I wouldn’t say the fire wasn’t there, I felt the body wasn’t up to it. It would take a lot to get it right and I couldn’t give that commitment any more.
“Last weekend was mad, winning the county and then a day later the news broke that I was stepping away. I was getting a lot of texts and well wishes. I didn’t have that much time to reflect, I’ll probably reflect more during the winter.”
He got involved with the Cork senior set up in 2016. He likes to think the nine years were more about the voyage than career highlights.
“There is definitely a lot of disappointment. I suppose beating Kerry in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Covid year was a massive high. The game in Páirc Uí Rinn against Donegal this year. Days when we beat Mayo, Roscommon, beat division 1 teams, they were great days.
“I’m proud of the journey more than anything.
"Not much silverware, but it took a lot to get there.
“I joined the league in 2016. I was injured in 2017 and didn’t get back in. I played with the juniors, I knew that was my route back to be honest. I got in then in 2018 and played all the league and made my championship debut.
“2019 was probably one of my best years, I pushed on. I was unfortunate that I missed two years in 2021 and 2022.
“That’s the way it goes.” The 31-year-old welcomes a good distraction these days, Kilshannig have just overcome Rathkeale on Sunday in the Munster club quarter-final.
“After the county final, we had a good day Sunday and a good day Monday. But that was it. This group, we played a Munster junior in 2019, we felt we didn’t do ourselves justice. We had a short turnaround then as well, we played Na Gaeil and we never got going.
"The game was over after 15 minutes. I wouldn’t say it left a sour taste. We were eager to put that right, especially being at home today, to give a good account of ourselves.
“A lot went into preparing the place for today's game against Rathkeale. Ten years ago all this wasn’t here - the pitch, the lights, the stand. To see the joy it gave people during the week coming out preparing the place, people washing the dugouts, everything. It’s great to be able to give them a win and another day out.
“Stacks next is a big step up, they’re the teams you want to be playing against.There’ll be even a bigger crowd in Glantane for that. It will be a great next two weeks again.”
Even better when he lines out with his brother and joint-captain Éanna and their cousins Darragh and Ciarán O’Sullivan.
“It is lovely to be playing with family. This group has been together since 2019, that was kind of our golden generation (won the JAFC county). When a good group comes along you try and make hay.
"We’ve been lucky too, we got to three county finals and won the three of them (2022 and 2024 also).”
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