'Hurlers have been delighting Cork crowds'
It’s no secret that Micheál Martin, the Tánasite but more importantly a Cork man, is a big fan of Cork GAA.
We recently caught up with him ahead of the All Ireland final to find out a little more.
“These hurlers have been delighting Cork crowds with their spirit,” he told us adding that “their commitment has been extraordinary.”
He added: “They were resilient throughout the Munster championship, they have bounced back and have given us some fantastic days so far and I want to wish them the very best of luck on Sunday. ”
The Tánaiste has always been a massive fan of Cork GAA and told us about the first game he can remember watching: “It was 1966 and I was only six years of age. Cork wasn’t expected to win. My father (Paddy Martin) was a Glen Rovers man. He would have been more of a footballer than a hurler but he played football with Christy Ring and Jack Lynch.”
He added: “It would have been the tradition for us to sit down in the sitting room as children watching both minor and senior games with Michael O’Hehir as the commentator. 1966 was then kind of like a resurgence for Cork hurling. There was tremendous joy at the time.”
He said he can also remember going up the All Ireland hurling final in 1972 with a group from Nemo Rovers, when Cork lost to Kilkenny. The final score was Kilkenny 3-24, Cork 5-11.
Then as teenager he said he can remember the Jimmy Barry Murphy era. He described them as “happy memories” adding that this current Cork team has also given fans some happy memories. He said he went to all the matches this year. “I enjoyed the days out. This team has given us some great days out. The team is getting stronger all the time and there is a hunger in them.”
He said this year’s semi-final was “one of the greatest games and there was great skill shown during the game by the Cork players”.
He also mentioned the game against Offaly in Tullamore as a great match to be at. While reminiscing about heading up to the last Cork game, he said he was speaking to man selling hats and scarves who told the Tánaiste he hoped Cork would win that day and reach the All Ireland final. Why?
“Because Cork people spend more than anyone else,” he laughed.