CORK HURLING SELECTOR Wayne Sherlock recalls the day in Dundrum when then team captain Mark Landers conducted a video presentation that changed their season.
It was just before the 1999 Munster final, and Cork were facing a Clare team who had dumped them out of the championship the year before. The footage was intended to inspire a revenge mission in the players.
As the sides prepare to meet again in an All-Ireland final this weekend, Sherlock recalls the clips they saw that day and how it ultimately became the benchmark for their Liam MacCarthy success that year.
“I wasn’t involved in ’98 but Cork got a fair hammering off Clare. And I suppose it was similar to how it’s been with the present Cork team, with people questioning if we were able for it physically.
“We were a young team in ’99 and by reiterating what happened the year before, the idea from Landers was to show us what we needed to be prepared for and what Clare were going to bring in a Munster final.
“The message was that we weren’t going to let it happen two years in a row. Even though I wasn’t there in ’98, there was great motivation in seeing how Clare had bullied us and the way they took over that game. It definitely triggered something in that young group going into the game and we went out and won the Munster final after it.”
That 1999 team will be honoured with a jubilee ceremony in Croke Park on Sunday to mark the 25-year anniversary since their All-Ireland success. Manager Pat Ryan and selectors Sherlock and Brendan Coleman were all part of that ’99 outfit, meaning they will not be present for the event as they will be preparing for the 3.30pm throw-in. But if Cork get a favourable result against Clare, it’s hoped that a reunion with their old teammates will follow later in the evening.
“It’s something myself, Pat and Brendan are going to miss but that’s a great complaint to have. If things go well, we’ll see the lads afterwards because we’re staying in the same hotel. It would be class to meet up afterwards and share memories in that case. But it would be great to make new some new memories too.”
Cork are chasing a first All-Ireland title since 2005, narrowly losing out on victory after a gripping replay against Clare in 2013. Their 2021 final appearance was a comprehensive win for Limerick.
Sherlock insists that, despite the length of time since their last triumph, Cork are held to a standard which is measured by All-Ireland titles. That was Pat Ryan’s message to the team following his appointment in July of last year.
“Pat makes no bones about it and he told the players — the reason anyone plays senior for Cork is to win an All-Ireland.
“Whether you haven’t won one in 19 years or two years, the ambition is to win an All-Ireland. It’s not about free gear or claps on the back. Winning the All-Ireland is the aim above all other aims. And I think this team is really starting to believe in their ability to do that.
“Hopefully they’ll put in a performance against Clare that deserves an All-Ireland. But we’re all on the same wavelength. Pat has said from the start that this team needs to win something and we’re there to try and facilitate that.”
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Harsh on Frawley! Would prefer to see him on the bench as opposed to Ross Byrne!
@Andrew: Agreed it would make much more sense, especially with his Swiss Army knife capabilities. No Hugo Keenan? Is he still injured? I thought he was fit again?
I liked the Porter experiment thing with Jack Boyle, not so much with Healy. Healy is an Irish legend but at this point he’s just clearly blocking Boyles development. Also, what is Ross doing there. He came on vs Munster and stunk the place out. Barrett can cover 10 easily and he’s a much better 10 than Byrne.
@Eoin H: Jordie has played 10 once in about 4 years.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Exactly, but could you tell me with a straight face that he still wouldn’t be better than Ross? I mean, he basically plays as a first receiver a lot anyway at 12 and 15
@Eoin H: I can see where you’re coming from but I’m not going to jump on the endless Ross bashing. He gets enough grief on here! Pragmatically speaking, of course Ross is a better reserve option for 10 than Barrett. If we were playing a less heralded side, I could the see the coaches going with your way of thinking perhaps but we can’t afford that vs this crowd. That said I think I’d have preferred Frawley covering 10 but he’s just coming back after a knock vs Bristol. In any case I think Barrett should be nailed on at 12. Hoping he starts vs Bath and comes through the weekend unscathed.
@Eoin H: put a sock in it. Frawley will be back up 10 when he’s fully fit
@Eoin H: frawley is just so much a better 10 than byrne, the fact he covers at least 2 other position aswell makes this another of cullens baffling calls.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Do you think it’s acceptable to play like Ross did when he came on vs Munster, and not receive criticism. It’s the same for any other player.
@chris mcdonnell: you are way worse than a broken record. Frawley last played at FB, over a month ago..
@chris mcdonnell: I agreed with you in the past but now you are painful. Byrne isnt starting PRENDERGAST is. So just be happy and pipe down, nobody wants to hear it anymore
@adizlack93: i want what’s best for leinster and i believe that cullen is making decisions that make no sense. Andy farrell picked pendergast. Why is gunne not in the squad? Why have we a 5-3 split when our defence cries out for the extra forward? We pump so much effort into defence that the one thing we need in our attacking backline is pace. The two half backs on the bench don’t have that.
@chris mcdonnell: You have persistently gone after Ross Byrne on these boards for too long. Your comments are personalised. But on this posting you have really stepped over a line. I am taking this up directly action with the Journal who own Rugby 42 over this and many of your nasty postings about specific players but most notably Ross Byrne. People like you should be given the oxygen on boards like this which are supposed to for genuine rugby fans.
@Patrick byrne: what did I say that’s nasty or personal, I do believe he is too slow and not good enough. It’s nothing personal about the man it’s his selection for leinster that I don’t like.
@chris mcdonnell: You are nasty. But you are also now careless especially with your posting today. I have 2 words for you to ponder namely libel and defamation.
@Patrick byrne: You sound like a child running to tell the teacher. Chris has his opinion and is entitled to voice it just as much as you.
@Eoin H: what did Byrne do against Munster that was so wrong? I think you have convinced yourself of something and are not capeable of seeing beyond that view.
@Carmine Lorenzo: and still better than…..
Great to see Ryan Baird starting. Hopefully he can stay fit and get selected instead of POM during the 6 Nations (would be ideal if he pushes POM out of the match day squad completely)
@Andrew: lol. That won’t go down too well here. But there is a lot of chatter from Leinster camp that Baird is crucial to Leinster’s lineout calling. He’s been pretty much absent the entire season so it’s interesting to see if we see improvements here now he’s back. That could be his point of difference for Ireland too. POM is still a world class jumper and he offers a lot of the ‘intangibles’ so I suspect we’ll see him in an Ireland squad in the 6N, and perhaps the summer tour. Easterby likely to lean on experience.
@Andrew: Would be nice for any young player to take the reigns, show us the future, so far RB has work to do.
@Andrew: you’ve money on an England win?
The bench is a joke. I wasn’t expecting Furlong back, delighted! Keenan omission is an odd one…. I’d have had JB at 12, he’s been our best back this season and then GR at 13 or 14 and Keenan at 15 or 14. Great chance for TOB though, really good player with top end pace and thus has potential to be high class winger. Personally I love the Healy for 20-25 mins and then Porter for the rest; my major disappointment with this 23 is Byrne instead of Frawley
@Andrew Slazenger: Tommy O Brien always been renowned as comfortably the quickest in the Leinster squad. No surprise Nienaber likes him
Prop experiment from a few weeks back clearly in preparation for this. Fact that Healy covers TH as well is a big plus
@adizlack93: he can cover hooker as well!
Now that Leinster forwards bench is a thing of beauty. The South African influence grows by the day.
What a bench. Game plan here. Good luck leinster
@Simon Dwyer:
As a munster man looking at that bench, all I can say is WOW!!! I fancy Leinster big time. Only Toulouse can stop them
Surprised we didn’t see a 6-2 split. Frawley will feel hard done by. I think you simply have to start Barrett at 12 aswell. Other than that no surprise with the Porter experiment and a nice surprise to see Furlong back at long last. Also this absolutely confirms that Snyman clause that he can’t start. What complete and utter needless meddling from the IRFU. And since when does Kane Douglas play for La Rochelle!
@Carmine Lorenzo: I’d rather have 2 international second rows starting than a mercenary thanks.
@Patrick Kennedy: How about you’d rather have the best players starting that are all equally contracted club players? His performances and impact this season have been inspirational.
@Carmine Lorenzo: That and he’s a double World Cup winning lock. A big advantage for Leinster is LAR’s giant Aussie lock is not in their lineup
@Carmine Lorenzo: Cullen has always treated frawley like that.
@Carmine Lorenzo: There isn’t a professional rugby club in the world where all players are “equally contracted” ffs, use your head will you?
@Patrick Kennedy: I agree… I think it doesn’t matter when or where, he will be on the pitch. Ireland interests have to factor into it and we need Ryan and McCarthy challenged in Europe.
@Patrick Kennedy: nothing mercenary, he was released by Munster as they chose Kleyn. Unless you haven’t noticed rugby at the elite level is professional.
@Patrick Kennedy: Pathetic.
Leinster by 40
@Dave Moran: Hahahahahahahahaha
Care to put any money on that Dave?
@Dave Moran: Didn’t think so
@Patrick Kennedy: Already have 50 on it Patrick. Loose change
@Dave Moran: Sure another 50 will do no harm – I’m game if you are?
@Patrick Kennedy: Done
And there you have it… I poo pooed the “experiment” but they are going full Nienebar on us now. Cian to come off after 25 minutes and Porter to be at his destructive best with 10 minutes to go. It could be the winning or losing g of it with Barrett, Conan and Snyman coming on after 55 minutes.
@Paul Ennis: glad you now have come round ;)
@adizlack93: I still say Jack Boyle had a vlood injury when he came off. That annoyed me that Leo chose to ignore it.
@Paul Ennis: I saw it at the time too hah
@Paul Ennis: conan RG and barrett at the same time is frightening.
@chris mcdonnell: Frightening for everyone bar Leinster!!
@Paul Ennis: still think another forward on the bench is a better option but not really sure who that would be maybe max deagan?
@chris mcdonnell: I would have gone 6:2 but maybe the coaches don’t see LAR as the threat they were last year. The fact that Connors is injured and maybe Frawley wasn’t quite ready to return so they decided not to risk him would explain the 5:3 decision too.
I belief a certain Mr English owes me an apology, saying I obviously don’t watch much rugby and Prendergast was never going to start this game….
I don’t expect it though, he’s off telling other people that they clearly don’t watch much rugby….
@Robert O’Connor: Wasn’t he the fool that was going to enjoy reminding you with a guarantee that Sam definitely wasn’t going to start against Lar…..what a complete and utter dose
Have never been convinced by the Ryan/McCarthy combo in the second row. Could see it being Leinster’s undoing at the weekend as it has been a couple of times before. La Rochelle to shade it IMO.
@Oliver Daly: No Skeleton is the big one. This gives Leinster a great chance. Still I wouldn’t bet on it. La Rochelle will be up for this big time.
@Ray Ridge: 100% , I can understand why people fancy Leinster but rivalries like these often don’t depend on form.
@Oliver Daly: If form is the metric then it has to be advantage Leinster as LAR have struggled recently barely beating a second string Toulouse side at home & losing to Vannes
@Oliver Daly: What on earth are you waffling on about
@Ray Ridge: Yep, it’s easy enough to tackle someone with no skeleton.
@Colin Rainier: Certainly aren’t many Skeletons in that La Rochelle team. Predictive text not near as switched on as you Colin.
@Oliver Daly: Worked the last two times and the only two times for that matter.
@Oliver Daly: with Skelton out, it’s game over. Leinster will be too strong.
I really hope La Rochelle they don’t get spooked by the Icelandic Leinster Viking Clap!
@Colm O’ Brien: what about the actual Viking sitting in the bench ready to skittle them when he comes on?
@Colm O’ Brien: Mike McCarthy in a Viking helmet pre match would put the fear of god in any team
Good side. The fact that Cullen knows Kane Douglas is an advantage as well. My only question would be that Will Connors’ chop tackling proved very effective against the same opposition last year and now he’s not even in the 23. Don’t know what’s about.
@Conor Lynott: because our defence doesn’t wait on players to run at them to chop tacke, we come off the line at speed and win collisions.
@Conor Lynott: Connors is injured and has been for most of the season
@Conor Lynott: he’s injured and his main job was to stop Skelton, who’s injured.
@Conor Lynott: He’s injured and has been a while since November.
@Conor Lynott: the same cullen who just after he signed Douglas and let go Tadgh Beinre?
@chris mcdonnell: Rewrite that again
@adizlack93: His job is done, then
@chris mcdonnell: Tadgh Beirne who had spent the entirety of his 3 years in the academy injured. It’s a pity Cullens crystal ball couldn’t be as good as yours. Also Kane Douglas was signed by Matt O’Connor. So your completely ridiculous bias isn’t even based on reality.
Is Hugo Keenan injured?
@Andrew: nope. Back fully fit. But Osborne has the 15 jersey on merit at the moment.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Thanks! Surprised he didn’t make it on the wing!
I guess both Keenan and Fraws miss out in favour of Barret!
@Andrew: Yeah I think Keenan hasn’t played wing in a while so you’d be sort of shoehorning him in there. Larmour and JOB have been performing well so they deserve their places imo. Some big names left out alright! Might see some rotation next weekend with the 6 day turnaround.
@Andrew: both haven’t played in over a month actually but nice job trying to create that narrative regarding Barrett
@Carmine Lorenzo: Tommy O Brien is starting not Larmour. Thankfully.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Fair, though all the lads on the Irish Independent’s rugby podcasts seem to think that Keenan on the wing is a good idea. It’s where I first heard the idea, so figured might materialise given Lowe is out and the rise of Jamie Osbourne.
@adizlack93: Not trying to push any narrative. Just stating an observation. Tbf a lot of the chat on various pods this week has been on who might miss out in favour of Barret, and looks like the answer is Fraws / Keenan as I imagine one of them would have been on the bench instead…Never said it was a bad thing Barret is in the team from a Leinster perspective. Though from an Ireland perspective it’s probably not ideal…
@Andrew: they miss out because of slow byrne
@Eoin H: Yeah a typo thanks. Big chance for TOB.
@Andrew: Yeah I also heard the left wing pod pushing Ringrose to start right wing so we can accommodate Barrett and Henshaw. I’d be a big believer in playing your players in their best positions. So Henshaw would simply miss out this weekend imo.
@Andrew: Barrett needs to be starting 12 come business end of the season if we want to beat the likes of Toulouse. Any game where he doesn’t play is an opportunity missed given the short term nature of his contract. Henshaw is out of form this season shown by his awful pass out wide that would have been a sure try vs Munster. Would probably start Osborne ahead of him too atm
@chris mcdonnell: Did Ross Byrne give you a good rattle one night, but then never called? You never miss an opportunity to slag him off. It has to be personal. He’s moved on – let it go. You just weren’t that good.
@Fagin Strauss: the day he leaves leinster is the last time I will even comment about him. Cullens selection of him must be personal because it’s got nothing to do with his ability. He is simply not good enough and the past 3 seasons prove that.
@Carmine Lorenzo: No he doesn’t, maybe on form as Keenans been out, but Hugo still has vastly more credit in the bank as one of the best FBs in the world, I know Osbourne is a great player but he has it all to do AND probably not even at FB!
Leinster’s to lose, LAR aren’t the force they once were.