Making fun of hurling

Interview/Seán Óg Ó hAilpín:What started out as a routine photo shoot for one of his sponsors turned into something of a revelation when Seán Óg Ó hAilpín admitted the fun has gone out of his hurling.

It has nothing to do with the ugly prelude to Cork's Munster clash with Clare on Sunday, nor, it seems, the fact he turned 30 last week, but as he enters the twilight of his great career Ó hAilpín is determined to enjoy himself.

"I'm already trying to prepare myself for my last game," he said. "I'd say a lot of players, presently and previously, don't see into the future. They play their last game, and then, whether through their own accord or through injury, it's like they fall off a cliff.

"So I've a couple of things lined up in my mind what I want to do, personal things. So at least I'll have something to look forward to when that day comes.

"But look, I want to give the next two or three years a good shot, and have a great time at it. I suppose up to now I've never really enjoyed myself, as much as you try to say that yourself. You just don't really, not at this level.

"So the way I see it, I don't have to win anything more. I've kind of compensated myself the last couple of years, to not enjoying myself, by trying to win, and doing this, that and the other. Well, I want to finish off my last couple of years trying to enjoy it."

Clearly this was a difficult matter for Ó hAilpín to explain. If he wasn't enjoying his hurling, the question of what motivated him to continue was particularly complex: "I'm probably going way overboard here, but I do believe that every one of us have been given a talent, and my talent was in sport, thanks be to God.

"If I do pack it up now then I'm not fulfilling my sporting ability. Even though you're not enjoying doing it, when you're able to do it, you should appreciate that.

"I do love the training. I never minded that. But it's hard to lead your own life. If hurling was a minority sport in Cork, yes. Maybe then I'd have more of a private life. But because hurling is the biggest sport in Cork that's hard, because everyone follows it.

"Everyone has an opinion on hurling. And that's hard to get away from, especially in the city."

Despite his near-iconic status, Ó hAilpín also seemed unsure of how long his fame would last. Ronan O'Gara once said he didn't mind being a star rugby player living in Cork, because most of the attention was on the hurlers anyway. Ó hAilpín could probably have gone full-time into hurling if he wanted to, but realised the dangers of that.

"Yeah maybe, but I can think of a superstar from my own club in the 80s and 90s, and if someone saw him now, they wouldn't know who he is. Maybe I have the profile now, but in a couple of years' time, who's going to know you?

"And I could never see myself going into senior management. I would like to get involved at underage level in my own club (Na Piarsaigh). The club has been very good to me, and I feel a responsibility to bring on young kids myself.

"It's not all about taking. You have to give as well. If you took that club away from Fairhill, I'd often wonder how the place would end up. I first set foot in that club 20 years ago, and often wondered if I'd have any regret. And I've none whatsoever. That's my selling point to the club."

Understandably, Ó hAilpín didn't want to be dragged into the debate surrounding Sunday's incident in Thurles, especially as the investigation was only getting underway. Yet, he agreed that the GAA's match culture had a lot to do with it.

"There was a time there alright when you'd be told to break down the door, and take the hinges off as well. And then after going through the tunnel you'd do maybe an 80- yard sprint. And then after that, it's like, you're fecked. And suddenly you've a match to deal with.

"I'd agree that in most other games the teams just walk on to the pitch. They're professionals, they're on top of their game, know what's required. So if it's good enough for those fellas. Maybe the culture of our own game is just that bit different.

"But look. It shouldn't have happened, shouldn't have been allowed to happen. But then it probably won't happen again now. This thing of shouldering into a player, well, that's what helps get bums on seats, people like to see that.

"It's the same in the Aussie Rules. The GAA is not as overboard, and players accept it and move on. After the dust settled on Sunday you had a game without one foul stroke."

GAAFixtures

Wednesday

Leinster Under-21 HC - Kildare v Dublin, Clane, 7.30; Kilkenny v Laois, Kilkenny, 7.30.

Saturday

Leinster SFC Quarter-final - Longford v Laois, Tullamore, 6.45, V Neary (Mayo), live RTÉ 2.

Sunday

Leinster SFC First Round (second replay) - Louth v Wicklow, Croke Park, 2.10, P Hughes (Armagh); Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 4.00, J McKee (Armagh) live RTÉ 2.

Munster SFC Semi-finals - Waterford v Kerry, Dungarvan, 2.00, G Connamha (Galway) live RTÉ 2; Cork v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 3.30, E Murtagh (Longford).

Ulster SHC Final - Antrim v Down, Casement Park, 2.15, J McGrath (Westmeath).

Ulster SFC Quarter-final - Antrim v Derry, Casement Park, 4.15, C Reilly (Meath).

Ulster MFC Quarter-final - Antrim v Derry, Casement Park, 12.30, L Smyth (Down).