GPA: Goalie Pissed Aff, as 14 to 1 Cork Defy the Odds
Talking Balls Comments
So fourteen man Cork upset the odds and beat the one man show that was Galway hurling on Saturday night.
The summer will certainly be a quieter and less interesting place without Ger Loughnane and particularly Joe Canning whose one man exhibition couldn’t keep Cork down. But hats off to the Rebels for a scintillating display led from the front by Cathal Naughton, Ben O’Connor and especially Joe Deane who really knows the meaning of having some balls.
Loughnane famously predicted that he would win the Liam McCarthy within two two years of taking over as Galway senior hurling manager. Having coaxed Ollie Canning back into the fold, harnessed the brilliance of prodigy Joe Canning and seemingly got the notoriously flaky Tribesmen back on track all seemed to be pointing in the right direction for Ger.
Then along come Cork and spoil the party and what a way to spoil it. If anyone had said the Rebels would beat Galway without Donal Óg, and Sully, twould have been hard to credit it. If Cusack walking the line has that effect on this Cork team maybe he should make a point of getting himself sent off more often.
Cusack attracts praise and abuse in equal measures and he certainly seemed to succumb to the red mist. He cut a distraught figure ambling off the pitch without his bags of tricks and sticks. Seated on the Cork bench head buried in hands he looked disconsolate but was he feeling sorry for himself? Obviously not for by all accounts Donal Óg delivered a stirring address in the Rebel Dressing room that was euphemistically described by Gerald McCarthy as heartwarming.
Donal Óg will certainly be a chastened man we’re sure after his brush with ref Barry Kelly, who it has to be said was on his case from day one. But will he put away his controversial ball bag and play by the rules? Will he take out the next forward that ventures into his territory Munster style a la Lifemi Mafi and the boys? Time will tell.
As for Ger? His response when asked if he’d be back for more? “Have a Guess.”
So that’s a no then?
