‘It was relief mixed with joy’
Diarmuid Sheehan Former Cork footballer Donnacha O’Connor reflects on Cork’s last All Ireland title
IN life, anniversary’s often have that tinge of sadness attached, but more often than not when it comes to sport, remembering back is usually done with a sense of fondness as we tend to focus in on the events that shaped and perhaps even changed a generation.
In recent weeks the 30 year anniversary Cork’s magnificent 1990 double has been plastered over traditional and social media sites as those involved in the two great GAA days that year regaled readers with their memories of the events of one of Ireland’s greatest sporting years – remember that was also the year of Italia 90.
Forgotten by many, but not by all it must be said, was the shorter but equally significant 10 year anniversary of Cork’s last senior football Ireland title win.
Last Saturday, 10 years to the date, players of the calibre of
Michael Shields, Graham Canty, Colm O’Neill and Ballydesmond’s Donncha O’Connor stood tall on the pitch at headquarters and saw off a superb Down team by just a single point (0-16 to 0-15).
The win was reward for several years of toil for the county and looked to signal the start of what many thought might be a period of rebel dominance – or something close to a period of dominance at least.
It turned out, however, that win over the Ulster side would be Cork’s last senior inter-county All Ireland title – instead of being the beginning of something special the win turned out to be the end of Cork’s regular trips up the steps at Croke Park.
Most Cork sports fans have very fond memories of the 2010 win with the images of Cork’s heroes on the day parading around the ground drowned to the skin well in focus for those that were there or those that watched on from afar.
Duhallow’s O’Connor was an integral part of all that Cork were about at the time and still remembers in vivid detail the day and the game that shaped himself and many of his teammates in the eyes of this great sporting county.
“I was reminded about the fact that it was today [last Saturday] by a few people this week. I had kind of forgotten about it to be honest. I knew the anniversary was coming up just not what date it was.
“In one sense it really is an age ago now but in another way the memories are still very vivid and new to me. I can still picture that day and the days after as if were only last week so it is strange to think that it is all of 10 years ago.”
And the memories that stand out the most?
“Well, what stands out for me is afterward the game – the relief mixed in with the joy – the hour or so on the pitch afterwards meeting everyone – even those that you had been playing with – meeting them afterwards really is something that I will always remember.
“To be fair on that day people seemed to stay on in the stands and the terraces and that made it all the more special for us.”
Cork had an impressive squad around the time of the 2010 victory but a win was still far from certain, especially considering the losses that the side had experienced in the years leading up to the final with Down.
“That year heading up to Croke Park was a bit strange to be honest. I can’t speak for everyone else only for myself but obviously things hadn’t gone well in 2007 and in 2009, but for me in 2010 I felt that there was no panic what so ever.
“Even during the game when we were down I felt that there was no panic and indeed no need to panic. We had been there before and I will always remember feeling that we will get back into this game – that said we were still four or five points down with 20 odd minutes to go but we were still in there and I felt that if we got our chances we would be in there at the finish.
“I just knew that there would be a kick in there – I suppose that had come from playing in a lot of semi-finals and a couple of finals before that. Maybe you really do have to lose a few before you can win one.”
Cork were obviously delighted to make the 2010 final, but O’Connor felt at the time that Cork would have been better taking on a neighbour rather than the Ulster side.
“No disrespect to Down but we really were hoping to be playing Kerry that day. I know that wasn’t the way it played out and you play whoever you get to play, but we had some history with Kerry at that time and would have loved to meet them. As it turned out that match with Kerry wasn’t to be, but we finally got what we think we deserved.”
Cork’s win was far from a shock considering the standards shown leading up to the final and O’Connor knew that he was in the midst of a pretty special group of players – a group that continued to impress after the 2010 win without regaining the national title.
“Not to be bigging ourselves up any bit but we had worked very hard and had been in the running for about eight years – in a semi-final or final every year except 2011 when we only made the quarter-final.
“We created a huge bond between ourselves and we felt that we were getting better and better every year – we had big strong men that were all very capable of playing football as well. Back in 2010 physicality was probably the number one thing to have in the game and we definitely had that in every corner of the pitch.
“Back in 2010 the game was very different to what it is now and a lot more was let go. It really is different to now. If you miss time a tackle now it is a black card or worse. People roaring and shouting puts pressure on the ref and you may have just missed timed a shoulder by a split second but back when we won you were able to commit to the challenge and not be worried about being sent off or a black card straight away. If it was bad you got a warning or a yellow, not off – that is very different now.”
The Cork team that won the 2010 title was clearly one of the most talented and successful Cork football teams to ever represent the county however few would argue that there shouldn’t have been more silverware collected and O’Connor agrees
with that assessment.
“You would have to agree with that to be fair. We were in two other finals and about eight semi-finals so I definitely agree that we probably should have won another one at least and perhaps if we had secured two then that wouldn’t have been labelled at us as much.
“Of course, it is disappointing for us not to have won another one but look, Cork footballers, and maybe hurlers to a certain degree in recent years, but especially the footballers don’t win too many All Irelands but the bond that was there was really special and something that I will always cherish.
“To win an All-Ireland was so special for me and for all of the lads at that time but the camaraderie that was in that squad was amazing and although I would give almost anything to win another medal I wouldn’t give up that friendship and that bond that we had and still have today – not even for a second All Ireland.
“All that said were we good enough to win a second All Ireland? Well maybe we weren’t because at the end of the day we just didn’t do it and that is ultimately what counts.”
So what does O’Connor make of the current crop and how things are going?
“I really think things are getting better for the lads in the last year or two. Obviously Kerry beat them last year and, perhaps, Kerry were slightly the better team, but what I saw last year was something I hadn’t seen in a long time and that was that they were clapped and cheered off the field – supporters were roaring at them and that gave me goose bumps and I wasn’t even playing so there is definitely something to build on and I think that is what they will be doing right now.
“Obviously this year there is no back door so no second chances this year and the fact that they have Kerry on the opening day will make it tough, but maybe that will all work in Cork’s favour. Cork are a side getting better and better and this year they really have nothing to lose.
“I really think they are building a squad and building momentum – of course it will take a while to get it all right but the squad and management are building to something – maybe we will see some of that this year or maybe it will be a while yet but there are plenty signs to suggest things are getting better.”
2010 may seem like only yesterday for those in the middle of it like O’Connor, but for almost everyone else 10 years ago seems like a lifetime away. There is one thing all can agree on, however, and that is that Cork players and fans don’t want to wait another 10 years to climb the steps of Croke Park – now that does seem like a lifetime away.
Of course, it’s is disappointing for us not to have won another one, but look, Cork footballers don’t win too many All Irelands