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John Gardiner: 'Yeah I miss it of course' INPHO
Watching On

John Gardiner: 'I would have liked if it was my own decision'

One of Cork’s pivotal players over the last decade will be watching on in Croke Park next Sunday.

JOHN GARDINER ADMITS he feels ‘a little bit hard done by’ at not being involved with the Cork senior hurlers this season and would have liked if it was his own decision not to be a part of the Rebels hurling squad.

Gardiner was a pivotal figure when Cork contested four successive All-Ireland deciders between 2003 and 2006.

But next Sunday he will be watching from the stands in Croke Park as his former teammates bid to claim the Liam McCarthy Cup.

“Maybe a little bit hard done by. We have given our life to the thing really since I broke onto the panel at 19 and given our life to the things for ten years or 11 seasons.

“I would have liked if it was my own decision. It just didn’t work out that way,” revealed Gardiner, as preparations for the first International Hurling Festival, hosted by Aer Lingus in partnership with Etihad Airways, continue.

Gardiner was informed last winter by manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy that he was not part of the provisional panel that was being formed for the 2013 season. He was told his club form would be monitored but a recall never materialised.

Did he suffer from being involved in off field disputes that have affected Cork hurling in recent years?

“We were seen as the front runners in the whole thing even though the panel was unanimous and agreed all the time. Look, I asked him the question straight up, was there anything in it and he said there wasn’t.”

Did you believe him?

“That’s for ye to decide I suppose, I don’t know.”

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Cork’s John Gardiner
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Gardiner hasn’t shut Cork hurling out of his life and has been at all of their championship games this summer.

It will be tough not to be playing next Sunday but he is pleased to see former colleagues thriving on the main hurling stage.

“I’ll be left a bit emotional inside, just kind of watch the game for the spectacle. It’s been a tough year obviously when you are out of it.

“It’s good to see the boys doing well and when you have played with them so long and know them so well you only wish them every success.

“The likes of Tom Kenny, the likes of Shane O’Neill, those guys, Pa Cronin, I’ve played with them for 10 years and sure they deserve their chance at medals as well.”

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