Out of the shadows
He was the captain and his outstanding form revived his inter-county career.
Graduating from the All-Ireland winning U21 team of 1980, he made his senior championship debut against Waterford in Dungarvan the following year. And he played his first league game a few months later against Mayo at right corner-back.
However, he didn’t play another championship game until 1985, when he was captain for the opening round against Tipperary in Semple Stadium. And the rest is history.
In the intervening period, he had the misfortune to break his leg in 1983 before getting back into club football with Aghada towards the end of that year and, playing a major role in Imokilly’s success the following season. His second league game was in the 1984-’85 competition against Meath and his early outings varied between corner- and wing-back before filling the number six jersey for the first time against Armagh in the sixth round.
His All-Ireland wins in 1989 and 1990 were also marked by selection as an All Star both years. After retiring from inter-county football, he served as a selector with Larry Tomkins for a while and later with Billy Morgan.
Working in Charleville – he is CEO of the St Joseph’s Foundation which provides services for people with disabilities – his choice as Cork manager followed the player strike after Teddy Holland’s appointment.
“Anything I would have heard about the players in terms of commitment and motivation would have been very positive,’’ he remarked at the time.
“That is all I would require of any team I would be involved with.’’
