DREAD CARD

Barrett: I didn’t want to see Rich sent off, I love proving myself against best

CATHAL BARRETT says he had no wish to see Richie Hogan sent off in the All-ireland hurling final.

Kilkenny star Hogan was dismissed by referee James Owens shortly before half-time in last August’s decider at a time when Tipperary led by just a point, though they went on to win by 14.

The incident in which he upended Barrett (below) was obviously a significant turning point in the game but the Tipp defender says he was relishing the challenge of marking the 2014 Hurler of the Year for the full 70 minutes.

Hogan later insisted that the incident was accidental and said that he was “amazed” at Owens’ decision.

Barrett explained: “I just took the step back as he was coming and he just clipped me on the side of the jaw.

“Look, realistically, I wouldn’t have liked to have sent him off. I said that at the time. I didn’t want to see him go.

“It’s an awful pity to put in so much work for 10 or 11 months and for it to be taken away in the space of a couple of seconds. But James made the decision and I wasn’t going to question it.

“I’d rather to have got to play against Richie. I pride myself on marking the top intercounty forwards so I enjoy the challenge and Richie’s one of the best hurlers that I’ve ever seen to come out of Kilkenny so I was enjoying the challenge with him because we were having a right little tussle.”

However, when the terms of engagement changed with Hogan’s departure,

Barrett adopted seamlessly, mopping up as the spare man in the Tipp defence as they romped to the title.

“It was actually gas, unless I was in the toilet for it (at halftime), I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Cathal, you’re going as a sweeper’.

“It was just my man was gone but I just fitted into that role but there was no preplanned thing in that regard because everyone had their job. That was kind of it.

“Sure I was delighted, I got to hit as much ball as I possibly could so I was happy enough.”

Barrett and Hogan have since rubbed shoulders on the PWC All Stars tour to Abu Dhabi. The Holycross man was corner-back on this year’s All Star team while Hogan was there in his role as the GAA/GPA commercial manager.

“We never brought it up at all. I’m not going to put salt in any wounds.

“We had good old craic on the holiday.”