HIS PLAYING FOCUS is on Gaelic football at inter-county level this year but Eoin Cadogan still had cause to cheer results in both the Allianz football and hurling leagues at the weekend.
On Saturday, Armagh hurlers win over Down in the Division 2B league final pleased Cadogan, due to his role as strength and conditioning coach with the Orchard county.
And then on Sunday there was another victory over Down to savour as he played at full-back for the Cork footballers in a game that was of major benefit in their fight against relegation.
“In fairness since I’ve got involved with Armagh, they’ve put in a good shift,” revealed Cadogan.
“We’re trying to put good structures in place for them, trying to get the best out of them.
“Last year we were beaten in the Nicky Rackard final, it’s just a credit to the lads and the management.
“You can see the work that they’re putting in is gaining a benefit and getting them up to Division 2A. It’s massive for them.”
The Armagh management have helped accommodate Cadogan as he continues to pursue a playing career.
“I actually wasn’t at the game (on) Saturday because of this (Cork’s game against Down). I was excused for it.
“The management Sylvester McConnell and Gabriel O’Kane, and a couple more selectors have been very accommodating for me.
“They understand that I’m trying to represent my own county at the same time, they facilitate me as best as possible.”
Cadogan may operate with one of the elite GAA counties but he has a strong admiration for an Armagh hurling side who rarely make the headlines.
“Any guy that puts on an inter-county jersey, some time the time and effort they put in don’t necessarily get noticed within the media or the public.
“Those guys come in and they do their gym sessions twice a week and they train on the field and they put themselves through the mill continuously without ever probably getting recognition for it.
“I’m just delighted for the hard work they’ve put in and looking forward to getting back on the training next week.”
Cork’s success over Down on Sunday did not come after the most aesthetically pleasing of games.
Coming out on the right side of the result was Cork’s primary objective.
“(It’s) just a case of job done,” admits Cadogan.
“(There) were a lot of errors from our side of things. It probably wasn’t a great spectacle to watch in any half but look we’ve six points in the bag.
“We’ve had some really good performances and some really poor performances in the league as a whole.
“There’s a lot of experienced guys not back in action and there’s a lot of young guys there after stepping up to the plate. Kevin Crowley there was outstanding (and) Ian Maguire.”
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