Rob Downey: People say there’s a difference between Ben O'Connor and Pat Ryan, but there isn’t

Rob Downey on facing Galway in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final: “We played them in the second game of the league above in Salthill and it was one of the toughest matches we had all year." Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Cork centre-back Rob Downey says the difference between Pat Ryan and Ben O’Connor as people is negligible.

While some of the style and on-field personnel has changed, Downey doesn’t recognise much contrast between the pair.

“He’s as honest as the day is long, in fairness, and that’s all you can kind of ask for as a player,” Downey told GAA+’s The View. “People would say there’s a difference between himself and Pat but there isn’t, really.

“The two of them are stone-mad Cork people. They want Cork to win at everything. That comes through when he’s talking in interviews and even on the sideline how passionate he is. It’s been brilliant playing under Ben and he’s supportive of us all.” 

Ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final, the Glen Rovers man highlighted Cork’s poor SHC record against Galway. It’s five defeats and no wins since a 2009 qualifier.

“I saw something there during the week that Cork haven’t beaten Galway in the championship since 2008, which tells you how good, how traditional the county of Galway are. They’re all very hard to play against.

“We played them in the second game of the league above in Salthill and it was one of the toughest matches we had all year. They have new players but those players have been earmarked from a long way out from under-age. They’re a very balanced side.” 

Meanwhile, The Camogie Association president Brian Molloy has said integration process is “on track” as Special Congresses are to be held by the organisation, the GAA and Ladies Gaelic Football Association later this year.

The first rule changes to amalgamate the bodies are to be brought forward there but must first get the approval of their respective Central Councils.

"It’s on track," Molloy told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland. "It’s achievable, subject to Congress approval, with Special Congresses taking place in October. We went around the country in February and March. We listened to people. People had very genuine concerns and we have listened.

"We have tried to address them with making some adjustments to the proposed structures, but for the vast majority of people, integration to a single national governing body won’t actually impact them.” 

Elsewhere, former Dublin senior football and hurling manager Pat Gilroy is on the selection committee that will recommend the next Kilkenny senior hurling boss.

Gilroy is the “outside” appointee and joins chairman PJ Kenny, vice-chairman Jim Fennelly, secretary Seamus Reade, the county’s multiple All-Ireland SHC winning coach and selector, Laois-born Mick Dempsey and John Hickey, brother of ex-Kilkenny full-back Noel.

Noel Doherty, Brian Dowling, Mark Dowling, Tom Mullaly and Henry Shefflin are the five candidates to succeed Derek Lyng who stepped down after four years in charge earlier this month.