DIARMUID HITS OUT AT REBEL MANAGEMENT
CORK legend Diarmuid O’sullivan has taken aim at Rebel boss John Meyler after Sunday’s All-ireland hurling exit.
An epic 3-32 to 2-31 semi-final defeat to Limerick after extra time ended Cork’s season and O’sullivan (above) blasted their “criminal” substitution policy at Croke Park.
“It just killed the momentum. They never recovered. Seamus Harnedy barely walked out [for extra-time] and they persisted with him for six minutes. That’s criminal,” he fumed.
DIARMUID O’SULLIVAN has hit out at the Cork management’s “criminal” substitution policy in Sunday’s All-ireland hurling semifinal defeat to Limerick.
The three-time All-ireland winner was part of the Cork set up as a selector for the past two seasons before departing last year with manager Kieran Kingston, who John Meyler stepped up to replace.
O’sullivan (inset) took issue with Cork making three substitutions in quick succession in the closing stages of normal time and the failure to replace Seamus Harnedy, struggling with a hamstring injury, until six minutes into extra time.
Reflecting on the epic 3-32 to 2-31 loss, O’sullivan said: “There was a period in the second half when Cork were up by four to six points and they were comfortable, then within a nine-minute window the management made three substitutions. They brought on Mark Ellis, Robbie O’flynn and Tim O’mahony.
“It upset the balance and rhythm of the Cork team. Did any of the three of them offer anything to the game after? It was three changes too quickly. It just killed the momentum.
“That period hurt Cork and they never recovered from it. Also, let’s be honest, referee Paud O’dwyer won’t be on the Cork Christmas card list either.”
The subs Limerick introduced contributed 2-6, while Cork got just 0-1 from their bench.
O’sullivan told Paddy Power News: “Cork’s lack of impact from the bench has caught up to them. It’s something the management should have addressed.
“[Shane] Kingston had to come back on, so did Daniel Kearney for short periods of time. They brought Michael Cahalane on and off again – I’ve no idea what was going on there.
“At the start of extratime Seamus Harnedy barely walked out of the dressing rooms and they persisted with him for six minutes – that’s criminal.”
Amid the Cork players being labelled “bottlers” after losing their sixth semi-final from their last seven appearances, O’sullivan revealed: “Unfortunately, that’s the way Cork supporters are and I’ve said it before, they’re very fickle.
“I was walking out of the stadium after, there was two Cork lads there having a right go.
“I actually had murder with them and I looked the two of them in the eye and told them they were an absolute disgrace.
“There’s no place for it, but that’s the world we live in.”
I told two fans they were an absolute disgrace..