Séamus Harnedy: Hurt Cork are all on the one road  

Veteran Cork forward Seamus Harnedy says Cork are hurt from last year and are all in it together.

Padraic Mannion of Galway in action against Séamus Harnedy of Cork during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Cork at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

For Cork and for Séamus Harnedy, this was a badly needed outing. The team received a stern test and the stalwart marked his return to action with a typical three points from play.

Harnedy logged 64 minutes in Pearse Stadium last weekend. He was part of an awesome half-forward unit that scored a combined 0-13.

“I badly needed a game,” he said afterwards. “I hadn’t played in a couple of months, so there was a bit of black smoke going, but it is all terribly enjoyable.

“It was tooth and nail for every ball there. In fairness to Galway, it is a very hard place to go.” 

Harnedy rightly credited his team-mates for their willingness to work the ball to the man in the right position. His point on the 49-minute mark best reflected that. Tim O’Mahony collected the ball from a ruck and lifted his head. His wing-forward was standing on the 65 completely unmarked. Harnedy had time to turn, plant his feet and rifle over. In total, they only hit four wides.

“Do you know what, fellas were very selfless.

“We're all on the one road here as the Cork squad and a bit of hurt after last year, it is not about who gets the scores or anything, it is about getting Cork in front at the end of the game, by means of good performance.

“If you're the fella to put it over the bar, so be it; if you're not, then so be it as well.

“It is great, the lads off the bench made a huge impact – Tim [O’Mahony] and [Brian] Hayes did well and the boys that were there in the first half as well, putting in savage shifts.

“It was a very good workout for our squad and a few lads were playing Fitzgibbon during the week as well, so some had a lot of minutes on the clock, other fellas like myself needed a few minutes.” 

This was Harnedy’s first appearance for the Rebels since last July’s All-Ireland final defeat. It should not be forgotten that he strove to carry the fight on a day when Cork were under fire. The 35-year-old came on, scored and was inches away from adding a goal.

Patrick Horgan’s retirement makes him the most experienced figure in the dressing room, but he wears it lightly. For now, the task is to strengthen the panel, build physical conditioning and prepare for the visit of All-Ireland champions Tipperary this weekend.

“All I can say is the management gave me a few more weeks off than the other lads, but it is probably going to be a rougher for me at the start.

“I was thrilled at that, they gave me an opportunity to get the body right and get any nicks that I had ironed out, so, I'm delighted to compete with the boys.

“They are very enthusiastic and they keep you young to a certain extent. Thrilled to be back involved this year.”