Cork have learned from previous failures says Niall O'Leary

Irish Examiner

a day ago

The statistic is Cork haven't won an All-Ireland semi-final as Munster champions on the last three occasions but Niall O'Leary is dismissing that record as the past.
In 2019, the Castlelyons man made his senior debut the year after Cork's previous provincial success and while a third of the panel were there for the 2017 and '18 All-Ireland semi-final defeats, he is adamant times have changed.
'I think we're a lot different team compared to them. We've gained huge confidence over the last two or three years with performances we've put in. I think that's going to stand to us. I don't think we'll be looking back on those games too much, to be honest with you.'
Many of this group have taken hits in Croke Park though like the 2021 final no-show against Limerick and then last year's agonising decider defeat to Clare.
'I suppose we definitely took a lot of confidence out of last year,' says O'Leary.
'Look, I know the end result didn't go in our way, but I think that's a huge thing for us to get to an All-Ireland final and actually be competitive in an All-Ireland final. So I think that's been the biggest boost for the group, to be honest, more than anything.'
Performing that day was massive for those like O'Leary who was called ashore after 47 minutes in 16-point drubbing by Limerick three years earlier.
'I think we've done very well to come back from that and the learnings we've taken from that, I think it was seen last year in the All-Ireland final as well.'
Before his groin injury, O'Leary had been in excellent form for Cork and was well on his way to putting behind an at times difficult 2024 season for the full-back line.
"Look, at times you know yourself, you're not going well, but we're very lucky in the group we have with the background team as well. Wayne Sherlock was obviously a legend in Cork playing in the full-back line.
'We've learned a lot from him over the last three years and I think we've taken a lot of learnings from last year as well. I think it's kind of gone our way a bit maybe at times this year already.'
O'Leary has physio Colm Coakley to thank for being able to come on against Limerick in last month's Munster final.
'I might as well have been living with him there for three weeks, meeting him every day, getting things right with him, and look, lucky enough that it's come right on time.'
Another massive Cork crowd is expected to descend on Dublin on Saturday and O'Leary is just one of the several players who tap into their belief.
'Look, everyone in Cork is behind us at the moment. We see the scenes of games the last two or three years, they've been very good to us and they've gotten us over the line in games, particularly last year as well when we were under pressure earlier on in the championship.
'But, again, their support, I suppose they don't recognise it at times how much we use it ourselves in the dressing room before games and after games. So, look, it's great.
'The Cork fans and Cork people are huge hurling people. The tradition down there, the teams that have gone in the past, they're only delighted getting behind a team that's actually being competitive again.'
The 20-year wait for an All-Ireland senior title isn't lost on O'Leary but it doesn't consume him.
'Look, it's nothing we look at. I suppose the only thing we look at going forward is that we want to be remembered as a team in Cork and, to be honest with you, to be remembered, you have to be winning All-Ireland.
"So, it's the only thing that's kind of at the back of our minds.'