No hiding for defenders under new football rules

NO WHERE TO HIDE: Roscommon's Ben O’Carroll and Neil Lordan of Cork. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Cork’s Neil Lordan says there is no hiding place for defenders under the new football rules.

Along with fellow corner-back Seán Brady of Ballygarvan, Ballinora’s Lordan has this year been “thrown in” as manager John Cleary put it to compensate for injuries to the likes of Seán Meehan and Maurice Shanley.

Against Cavan on Sunday, they gave their best performances yet, Lordan in particular, as Cork staved off the threat of relegation from Division 2 while putting one foot into the Sam Maguire Cup.

Adapting to the new rules on top of making his senior debut in January, it has been a baptism of fire on occasions for Lordan but his display in Kingspan Breffni was a resounding affirmation of Cleary’s faith in him.

“They are probably built for forwards,” Lordan says of the Football Review Committee recommendations. “In the past, you could hide as a defender behind mass defences and sweepers.

“To be honest, there is no hiding now. You’re either a good defender or not. Myself or Brady will tell you there’s no hiding out there. If you’re not a good player, you’re fairly screwed, to be honest. You just have to give it your all.” 

Lordan and Brady had to bide their time but they have taken the opportunities that have fallen their way. “Myself and Brady have played together all the way up and we’ve had a few injuries with Shanley and Meehan.

“Last year, myself and Brady were involved in the panel and we got no game-time so when the opportunity arose we both knew we were going to give it our all and if it didn’t work out for it, at least we could say we tried out best. At the moment, we’re both enjoying it and getting a few wins as well, which is the important thing.” 

Lordan surely has grown into the league. Against Down in February, he gave away what turned out to be the winning free after being caught under a high ball. A similar situation arose against Cavan in the first half but he was level to it.

“I suppose it’s just experience. I still have nightmares about the Down one, to be honest, because they actually ending up getting a two-pointer out of that and we ended up losing by a point.

“All you can do is learn from something like that and to be honest even with the one I won (v Cavan) I was probably lucky not to give away a free but the ref didn’t give it so we’ll go with that.” 

Finishing Division 2 on a high, they can look to their Munster quarter-final against Division 4 finalists Limerick in TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday week with an air of confidence. “It’s huge momentum going into championship and we’re going to be away from home for it so it’s a monkey off the back getting an away win.

“It’s never easy no matter who you’re playing and winning is a habit and we’ve won the last two games. We’ll try and build on that now.”