Excitement is building
Return to play date confirmed now for the week starting 26th April. Excitement is building as players, coaches and parents are eagerly looking forward to it. Some young players told me recently that they have new hurleys and playing gear and can’t wait to meet up on the field again with their friends.
PROFILE THIS WEEK: SHANE BESTON, PLAYING STALWART WITH MITCHELSTOWN AND BALLYGIBLIN
Occupation: Claims Analyst, Laya Healthcare
Favourite Food: Steak
Favourite gadget: iPhone
Early sporting memories: Playing street leagues in CBS pitches and going to Mitchelstown matches watching my father play.
Playing hurling and football from what age: U8 street leagues Biggest influence on your career: Father & grandfather spent lots of time practicing with me when I was young.
Toughest player to mark in training: Michael Maher, tough, fast and strong. Thought me a lot when I first started playing adult football.
Best player you have played with and why: Shane Cahill, really skilful, smart and great to play alongside. A brilliant playmaker that makes every player around him look better. Cranky enough at times too though!
Best player you have played against and why: Diarmuid Connolly, played against him in college league game with UCC vs DIT and he was unbelievable. Scored points from every angle.
Most admired hurler: Sean Óg
Most admired footballer: Sean Cavanagh/ Graham Canty
Honours won to date: Numerous underage North Corks, 3 North Cork JAFC (2010, 2011, 2013), 1 Hurling, (2018), 1 County Junior football Championship (2013) with Mitchelstown & Senior with UCC (2011), 1 Sigerson Cup (2011), 1 Munster U21 football (2011).
Best advice received – The effort you put into training is what you get in matches and do the simple thing with the first ball.
Coaching tip - Football / hurling: Practice as much as you can outside of training and enjoy it.
Sporting wish for 2021: Win the 2020 intermediate county final Funniest thing you heard/saw in a dressing room that we can print: Sitting down at half time in an intermediate championship game manager starts by saying “Ye need to stand up and be counted out there” - a player who I won’t name jumped up out of his seat and stood up, whole place burst out laughing!
Strangest thing you put in sports bag: ‘China Balm’ a form of deep heat stuff I put on my legs that I’m sure does nothing but makes me feel like I’m ready for a game anyway.
Something interesting about me: I was once top scorer in a junior football championship match and never kicked 1 score, hand passed 5 points over the bar.