Box-office appointment for minors
Diarmuid Sheehan Of the three managerial appointments last week Donal Óg’s is undoubtedly the most box office
HERE may have been four new managerial appointments in Cork inter-county hurling in the last week, but there was only one that split opinion across the county.
Donal Óg Cusack’s ratification at the County Board meeting of last Tuesday night didn’t come without its minor hiccups however few could disagree in the bowels of Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday morning that the Cork goalkeeping legend wasn’t up for his new and “exciting role” as Cork’s new minor hurling boss.
The focus shown by Cusack throughout both the short recruitment process as well as the long winded press interrogation will stand to the Sunday Game analyst and his excitement at taking up the role was clear for all to see.
“I am genuinely delighted. I am very clear in my own head about two motivations – about wanting to get to Cork and also wanting to make a difference here as well.
“Even if you just look at the second part of it – when I met the board and they were outlining their position I realised cultures need constant change and the setting up of that unit [Strength and conditioning headed up by Aidan O’Connell] is a huge part of that – and there are going to be more names added to that. I am just delighted to be part of that culture and to be able to give to that culture.
“Any player of my generation that is all that exists in them. They just want to be able to give to Cork. Cork is a big part of us. Cork is part and parcel of who we are. When I was involved with Cloyne and very much in the thick of it with Cloyne I always said I had two clubs. I had Cork and
I had Cloyne and I couldn’t see how you would distinguish between them.”
Now that Cusack has just one team to lead his focus is clear and while having just a one year term may well be seen as a poison chalice to some, Cusack is clear that any opportunity to get involved is worth grabbing with both hands. That says he knows well that the knives may be out if there isn’t success brought to Leeside straight away.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. You need to be clear in your own mind what your own motivation is. Criticism and all that is only part of the territory. Since I have been a young person that aspect has always been there.
“For anyone that has any kind of a public profile that really is just part of the journey. I often say to other people that you shouldn’t get caught up in yourself – sometimes we all kind of think that the world resolves around us, but what I do is to encourage people to look at other people in the public domain and see what their lives are like – and you quickly see that it is all just part and parcel of the job.”
Cusack has been successful on and off the pitch in his life however he is still able to find time to plan, reflect and learn from errors made along the way.
“I am a busy person, but I still always try to look forward and hopefully at the same time look at the past as well. It is the same as being a player where you can make loads of mistakes, but the important thing is you try to learn from those mistakes and get better and better.”
Doubling up as a pundit may well be seen by many as a tricky position going forward however Donal Óg is adamant that if he does the media work fairly there is no issue – particularly when it comes to the senior set-up.
“I think you just need to carry the same attitude to it as always. Call things as you see them. We are all big boys here.”
The Cloyne native has only been handed a one year gig with the minors and he is not thinking past that right now however if the call comes he won’t be sitting back.
“This [twelve months] is the scope of the job. This is where my focus is now and this is where the energy is going to be going in Any player of my generation that is all that exists in them. They just want to be able to give to Cork. Cork is a big part of us
– Donal Óg Cusack
terms of the one year. There are enough things to be concentrating on, but as I said I am always happy to help Cork and give to Cork in any way I can. I think this job is an example of that and if another call comes in twelve months’ time I’ll be as happy to do that.
“I didn’t have any formal roles with Cork before but anytime anyone would ask me to help out I would be there straight away. That doesn’t bother me at all. Being on the front line never bothered me. I was never one to sit on the fence.”
Cusack may only have two selectors named to date, but he is thrilled with the quality he has at his disposal.
“I was delighted that the two lads [Tom Kenny and Seán Óg Ó’hAilpin]. I have played with them all my life. It is a help when the young lads can see people that have done it all before. Nobody in this area of life would meet those people and walk away without thinking what impressive people they are and I think as players, as athletes and sportspeople they were really role models. Seán Óg was always a role model to me. I am really delighted that the two of those lads are involved cause I really think they are going to have a hugely positive influence on any young lads they meet.”
The new manager may well have one of the highest profiles nationally inside and outside the GAA family, but he is keen to get back to where it all began and help his native county succeed.
“When I went to the Sunday Game first people said you went straight back into coaching, but I think, for me, there is an attraction to the grass. It is something real and living in that. I just can’t wait to get down to work on that. We are all many things but for me, I am a sportsman, I am a hurler and that is my love, my passion and I really can’t wait to just get back to work.”