‘We know we must follow Treaty lead’

JOHN ALLEN was manager in 2005 when Cork claimed their last senior All-Ireland. Everyone attached to Cork hurling is always looking in the runes for signs that the senior All-Ireland is going to happen.

He was also manager when Limerick claimed the Munster title in 2013, their first in 17 years, and has watched

Limerick streak ahead in recent years.

Today’s club final perhaps brings a sense of Cork hurling returning to former glories by drawing on the past. Can Allen see an All-Ireland on the horizon for the Cork team after all these years?

‘We now have a CEO Kevin O’Donovan running affairs. He’s very much doing things properly so that work has begun. This is part of it. And it’s going very well. But the counties who are now winning All-Irelands – there is science, there is money, there’s expertise – that was lacking in Cork for a while. The recognition that this was important. You heard it, there was a feeling out there that “Cork is Cork” and they come like mushrooms overnight – that day is gone. Absolutely gone.

‘So when Limerick came on and they have science and expertise and money and good people involved, Cork know that’s the route to go. I’d be hopeful for the future.’