Latest news with #Lehane
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Lighten Up: Auld Lehane for president
I threw my hat into the cattle ring at Macroom mart last Saturday afternoon, thus announcing to the world my intention to run for president of Ireland. Granted, my action startled a few bullocks. But I felt this was a small price to pay for the sake of the nation. My hat is in the ring now, and that's the end of it. Over the next few days, I will get busy packing my bags in preparation for my new life in Áras an Uachtaráin. And I'm looking forward to it too, there would be no point in me saying otherwise. I will miss Kilmichael for sure, but just as an outwintered bullock finds comfort and warmth in a clean dry house, I will adjust to my new life in the Phoenix Park. And as for the other candidates in the race, well let's just say they are not a concern of mine. Without wanting to blow my own trumpet, or sound too cocky, but like Red Rum announcing his intention to run in a donkey derby, my victory is all but guaranteed. To say I'm the best man for the job is an understatement. When faced with the might of auld Lehane, I suspect most contenders will simply step aside, or wither away. The only one I fear is Flatley. Flatley, with his feet of flames, is the one fellow who could pip auld Lehane to the presidential post. We both come from the land you see, and my fear would be we will split the farmer vote between us, thus reducing my chances of overall decisive victory. But hopefully now Flatley will back away too, on hearing of my electoral gallop. And, of course, while the new job does excite me, I still have a few questions about the role. For instance, can one hold on to one's herd number and be president of Ireland at the same time? I mean it would be a bit embarrassing if I went to the mart and threw a few bids on cattle, only to discover that as head of state, I can no longer purchase stock. After throwing my hat into the ring last week, it would be rough justice indeed. Also, I wonder how busy is the life of an Irish president during the summer months? Or around silage season to be more specific. Yerra, it would be great if I could get a week or two off in June or July to haul in a bit of silage. I'm not looking for the whole summer, only a few days during a dry spell. And finally, I wonder would it be possible for me to move to the Áras immediately? November, and the election, is a long way off, and is a quare time of the year to be moving house. It would be far better to move now, when the days are long, so that I could give a glance around the grounds to see if a slate is loose or a hinge needs oiling. The election is only a formality anyhow. And with victory virtually guaranteed, I would like to hit the ground running. And speaking of running, don't forget come November to give auld Lehane your number one. For remember, a vote for auld Lehane is a vote for me.
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Pat Ryan's Conor Lehane revelation shows dedication Cork veteran still has as he prepares for Tipperary
WHEN the fat is in the fire against Tipperary, Conor Lehane will hope for a chance to do his bit to end the lean years for Cork. The veteran forward has had to contend with life on the fringes for the Rebels, who can end a 20-year wait for an All-Ireland SHC title 2 On Sunday Cork will be hoping to lift Liam MacCarthy for the first time since 2005 2 Conor Lehane remains a valuable member of their panel Lehane was in the team for the 2023 win over Waterford that saw Pat Ryan take charge of Cork in a Championship match for the first time. However, he has not been selected to start a game since last summer's All-Ireland Still, Ryan recently lauded his dedication as the Cork boss highlighted how the body-fat percentage of the Midleton forward, who turns 33 this month, is the lowest on his panel. Lehane said: 'Every player that's involved wants to be getting as much game time as humanly possible. Read More On GAA 'Everyone wants to be impacting positively and when it doesn't happen, you'd be heartbroken in a way. But that's the whole gig — it's sport. 'It's tough when you don't get your chance but when you do get your chance, whether it's a minute, ten minutes, 20 minutes, it's just whatever impact you can have.' For Lehane, And for last summer's Croke Park clash with the Banner, Lehane was an unused sub for the duration of a Most read in GAA Hurling He admitted: 'Obviously I'd love to have been involved and try to make an impact. But it's about being a grown-up as well. "You've got to take it on the chin and regroup again and just drive on. You've no other choice really.' 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal Having been axed from the set-up by Kieran Kingston, Lehane was recalled by the same manager a year later in recognition of his sensational club form as he led Midleton to Cork SHC glory. Patrick Horgan is the only member of the current panel who has been on the go at senior level with Cork for longer than Lehane, who debuted in 2011. Now in his 14th season, is the competition for places in the Rebel attack more intense than he has ever known it? Lehane said: 'Definitely. Everyone is just talented beyond belief and as driven as the next fella. 'It kind of goes against you when you want to get your place back but certainly it keeps you on your toes in terms of you can't be slacking in any session. 'You have to be on the ball, you have to be ready as if it's a game.' BENCH PRESS Lehane came off the bench and notched a point against Dublin last time out as Cork And he was one of the heroes who foiled Limerick's bid for a seventh straight Munster title. The two points he scored in extra-time after being called upon to replace Horgan helped to force a penalty shootout. He was then the first Cork player to beat Nickie Quaid, emphatically converting to set his side on their way to a first provincial triumph since 2018. It was a sweet moment for Lehane, whose involvement earlier in Cork's season had been curtailed by shoulder and hamstring injuries. He said: 'It was unreal to experience that, especially the way I'd been out for a while and not really involved. 'When the opportunity came, you don't think about that at the time because you'd be a bag of nerves otherwise. 'To be involved in the way it ended, the aftermath and the dressing room and stuff, it's worth any bit of hardship you went through throughout the year to experience that.'
The 42
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Conor Lehane: 'It's about being a grown up, you've got to take it on the chin and just drive on'
IN DECEMBER 2021, Conor Lehane got a call from Kieran Kingston. The Cork manager invited Lehane to meet up and placed his offer on the table – a call back to rejoin the county's hurling squad. Twelve months after being cut from their plans, Lehane was provided with a route to return to the Cork panel at the age of 29. 'Just met up for a coffee and we just had a chat,' recalls Lehane. 'The option was there. Just went home, had a think about it (and) in a way didn't jump back into it. You could say, 'Oh yeah it's 100%', but in a way you were so kind of settled and that was it. Your mind was made up. 'You gave yourself a few days and you remember if you want to go back in, you want to make sure you're going to be going in at 110% rather than just going, I'll see how it goes. 'Once I had the few days, it was a straightforward answer.' He seized the chance at a second shot at a way of life he had been accustomed to since his teenage days, first recruited to the Cork senior squad while studying for his Leaving Cert and making his senior championship debuat against Galway at the age of 18 in 2011. Lehane was a precocious hurler, fast-tracked to the highest level. In the drawn 2013 All-Ireland final he netted after a brilliant solo run against Clare. Across the 2017-18 seasons he fired 2-30 in championship action, including 1-3 in Cork's loss to Limerick in an All-Ireland semi-final epic. But consistency was a quality that eluded him. In the 2020 Covid championship, Lehane started against Waterford but lost his place for the games with Tipperary and Dublin, restricted to cameos off the bench. When Cork formulated their plans for the 2021 season, Lehane was cut. Advertisement He accepted the decision with grace, channelling his hurling energies towards the club game with Midleton. When they won the county title in November 2021, Lehane was the captain in the stand grasping silverware after performing as the leader on the pitch in dazzling style with his tally of 13 points out of Midleton's 24 against Glen Rovers. 'It wouldn't have been a case of going out and being like, 'I'll show them or anything.' recalls Lehane. 'If I was kind of doing that, I felt I'd nearly make it about myself. Go out and perform the way you would regardless of what year Cork went. It's kind of showing respect to your club that you're doing what's right rather than making it about yourself. 'It's easy for me to say now, I didn't think about it, but I genuinely accepted that, that was it. 'Looking forward to the following year would have been crazy in order to be able to focus on what was going on now. That's something that you do when you're a bit younger. You get carried away about the next year. It's exhausting mentally to think that way. 'You just need to discipline yourself to focus on what's actually currently happening and what you can actually put some bit of control towards rather than the ifs and buts. That's all imagination.' He didn't harbour any feelings of resentment and kept an eye on Cork's progress in 2021 as they journeyed towards the All-Ireland final. 'I watched the final. I was with my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time. We watched it at home. With Covid there was only limited capacity. I would have gone if we could. 'I know at the time we were training that day and I was so focused on Midleton. We didn't want to be making a big fuss by going up and making it like a thing. I was happy out to watch it at home. 'It was a weird feeling because you're buzzing for lads to get there, but you're obviously gutted you can't be involved. 'But it was the way it was. You just dealt with it and you dealt with it in the best way you could. I wished all the lads the best.' His club form had been exceptional that year, making a persuasive case for inclusion once more. 'Look, if there's eight or nine better forwards than him in the county, we don't know anything about hurling,' was the verdict of Ben O'Connor, the Midleton coach, after Lehane's tour de force in that county decider. Midleton manager Ger Fitzgerald threw plenty plaudits Lehane's way. 'He's always been outstanding for us. He's a huge captain, he's our leader. He's a huge influence. Deserved nothing more than that performance and that stage, but it was made for him and he took it.' In March this year Fitzgerald sadly passed away. He had been a constant figure in Lehane's hurling life, also managing him with Cork at U21 level. 'Sure Ger was a gentleman, it's so sad what happened him this year for him and his family,' says Lehane. 'The support that came from the club and what he meant to everyone, showcased in the size of his funeral and the removal and the respect that he got. To be able to say that you won a county together is an incredible memory to have as well.' Last year saw Lehane find his gametime restricted. He started against Offaly and came on as a substitute against Dublin, but was a peripheral presence thereafter. In December he got married, and after the Cork team holiday in Florida, and his honeymoon in South Africa, he returned determined to attack the 2025 season. A dislocated shoulder in February against Limerick, and a torn hamstring after the league, disrupted his plans but he kept focused on the end goal. 'I'd love to have been involved (last year). I'd have loved to have been a part of it and try and make an impact. But it's about being a grown up as well, you've got to take it on the chin and just drive on. You've no other choice really. 'If you get too caught up in it you'll only end up getting distracted and not being focused enough for whatever the next stage of the year is and you'll only end up being in your head. So you've just got to have the frustration of it, park it, and then what's next.' He got a run late on against Waterford in the Munster round-robin as he clipped over a point. The Munster final saw him shine in extra-time, dovetailing with Shane Kingston for the critical contributions that got Cork over the line. Lehane notched a brace of points and smashed home his penalty in the shootout. Against Dublin last time out, he nailed one point and assisted another. When called from the bench, he is eager to impact instantly and has the crystal-clear attitude to achieve that. Related Reads Who are the leading contenders to be 2025 Hurler of the Year? What are the key selection decisions facing the Cork and Tipperary camps? 'He's got a great affinity to these players': Keegan double-jobbing with Lions rugby and Cork hurlers 'Your mindset nearly has to be you could be brought on at any stage. You might be, or you wouldn't be, but you have to just be prepared to the type of impact you want is a positive impact. 'Not necessarily, you don't have to go in and get three points. It's winning the break, winning a free, getting a tackle, getting into the right position, making sure the puckout that's coming up that you're tuned into what that is. 'Making some sort of positive impact to what's actually going on in the pitch rather than going in and feeling that you have to put the pressure, bang in a goal or bang over three points. 'Let that come naturally if it's going to come. Just make sure you're taking it ball by ball and you're making something that helps the team at that moment. 'You want to come on and play well in general but if that overrides what needs to be done for the benefit of the team during that game, then you're in trouble. It has to be what's actually going to benefit everyone.' Twelve years after his maiden All-Ireland final experience, he is back involved. He had a clear view behind Domhnall O'Donovan for the point that rescued Clare in the drawn game and contributed to Cork's now two decade wait to land the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Lehane attended game during the 2005 championship as a youngster but was not presented for the final winning flourish in Croke Park. That Cork side caught his imagination, Ben O'Connor the player of choice that he watched intently. Another chance to emulate those heroes now, the low-key approach after the Dublin game amongst the squad reflective of their awareness of the challenge that awaits. 'The best thing about it, everyone was kind of celebrating and hugging, met the families and stuff but we just went straight back into the dressing room, we had our chat. 'We just went straight to the train station then and headed home. There wasn't any over-celebrating really, we'd been there. The way last year ended, it was nearly like a humbling in a way, just delighted with the win, but back to base again.' *****
Irish Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Long game paying off for Cork's Conor Lehane as he prepares for another final
Conor Lehane has a trying history with All-Ireland finals. And that's not just as a player. Cork have won three All-Ireland hurling titles in his lifetime and he's one of the few currently on the squad that were old enough - he turns 33 later this month - to have attended their last win 20 years ago. But while the ticket frenzy back then wasn't quite as intense as it is now, they were still difficult to come by. 'The parents were probably trying their best but they couldn't get them,' he says. 'I don't know what way the ticket allocation was back then but they couldn't get their hands on them. 'I went to the semi-final and quarter-final that year. I do remember them though. They were incredible days. They were absolutely unbelievable. I was probably about 11 or 12 when all that went down and you could see it. 'Everyone starts off as a supporter and if you're lucky enough to be able to play, then everyone ends up as a supporter again. 'So knowing what it was like before and the thrill that you got to see these players go out and represent the county and win is unbelievable and you'd love to be a part of something that would give that same thrill to younger people who'll be playing for Cork in a couple of years and they'll be the ones doing it for another generation. 'So it's an unbelievable cycle but it's just been so long now, you feel that pressure, that kind of longing to finally have the cup coming back down.' They've lost four finals in the intervening 20 years. Kilkenny denied them the three-in-a-row in 2006 and when they returned to the final seven years later, Lehane was one of their key forwards having prospered under Jimmy Barry-Murphy's management. They were within seconds of victory until Domhnaill O'Donovan nailed a last gasp equaliser for Clare, who went on to win the replay. It's a moment that Lehane is often reminded of as he goes about his business. 'It still comes up a lot to be fair. I was directly behind him when he got the point. 'I saw it going over about five seconds before. It took five seconds for the crowd to realise it, but I saw it going over from the get-go. 'The way it ended was so mental that it's naturally going to come up. Because it was so close to us going the other way.' Come 2021, Lehane was watching from home as Limerick crushed Cork to retain their title. The previous winter, he was deemed surplus to requirements by then manager Kieran Kingston. The fact that he didn't attend was down to Covid-19 restrictions, with the ground capacity restructured to 50%, rather than any bitterness on his part. 'I would have gone if we could. I know at the time we were training that day and I was so focused on Midleton at the time. We didn't want to be making a big fuss by going up and making it like a thing. I was happy out to watch it at home.' His sizzling club form that year led to a recall from Kingston, but with the emergence of a new wave of talent from successful underage sides, he has often been on the margins in recent seasons. In last year's All-Ireland final defeat to Clare, he didn't get off the bench. 'Well obviously I'd love to have been involved. I'd have loved to have been a part of it and try and make an impact but it's about being a grown up as well and if that's not the case then you've got to take it on the chin and regroup again and just drive on. You've no other choice really. 'If you get too caught up in it you'll only end up getting distracted and not being focused enough for whatever the next stage of the year is and you'll only end up being in your head. So you've just got to have the frustration of it, park it, and then what's next.' That patience has served him well as, after a difficult year with injury having dislocated his shoulder and then pulled a hamstring, he played a starring role off the bench in the Munster final against Limerick, scoring 0-2 and winning a free which was converted before scoring a penalty in the shootout. In the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin, he came on to hit his first score at Croke Park in seven years. It appears unlikely that he will break into the starting team at this stage, but he hasn't resigned himself to that. 'You try and push. Keep pushing. Keep pushing to try and get your starting place, that's what everyone wants. 'Then you leave it up to the management to decide what they think is best. But you approach every session as if it's a chance to get your place. So you take every session as serious as you would that way. 'Whatever decision management make, you take it on. Then you bring the best version of what you can to whatever position you're put in.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'You don't know what's around the corner': Conor Lehane resilient through Cork ups and downs
The last time I sat opposite Conor Lehane was at Midleton's 2021 county final press evening. The last question I put to him inquired about a return to red. After 10 seasons on the inter-county stage, 2021 was his first time out of the Cork loop. His focus was exclusively trained on club matters. He was tearing up the same club arena. A top-scoring total of 0-42 - 0-25 from the placed-ball - in Midleton's five game run to the local decider. And so as our conversation was approaching full-time, I asked if he was hopeful of a Cork recall in 2022. 'I wouldn't think anything past tonight even,' replied Lehane. 'If your head is elsewhere, you wouldn't be fully in where you are, so you don't want to be doing it for other reasons, which is unfair to everyone.' His 2021 story, not that everyone doesn't already know the ending, finished with a winning 0-13 county final haul and a return ticket to the Cork set-up. That red sequel, mind, has been neither smooth nor straightforward. His introduction three minutes into second-half injury-time against Waterford on May 25 was only his third involvement of 2025 and first championship involvement in 337 days. His 65th minute point last time out against Dublin was his first Croke Park score going right the way back to the same semi-final stage of the 2018 championship. 'I didn't realise that. That's kind of sad,' he half laughs in reply to our pointing out of that seven-year stat at last week's All-Ireland final press evening. 'You genuinely don't know what's around the corner. As you get older, you'd understand that a bit better, and you've to go through the ups and downs of something to appreciate that a bit more. 'You're always aware of it but until it actually happens, you get a real insight then of how gutting it can be when things don't go as expected. But it's your reaction to it and how you apply yourself to the next thing is key, and that starts way, way before something might happen. 'Seven years later, the good mentality for that could happen years prior, so it's key just to make sure the disappointment that's there is addressed, parked, and then it's what's up next and make sure you're bringing your best self to that.' His 56th minute point against Limerick seven years ago shoved Cork six clear. Limerick roared back and roared on. Lehane was sat at home for the 2021 All-Ireland final defeat to the same green machine and sat unused in the Hogan Stand 12 months ago when Clare kept the famine going on Leeside. All thrown together, he's still waiting 12 years later for further All-Ireland final involvement. The events of 12 months ago were the latest example in Lehane's red story that very few sporting careers run in linear fashion. Of the 10 outfield players on Cork's 2024 All-Ireland final bench, only two - Lehane and Pádraig Power - didn't get a look in during the 90 minutes. His response is fascinating. He doesn't shy away from how he felt when overlooked. He's also a brutal realist. His is an outlook hardened by so much of 2025 being similarly overlooked, even if there were interrupting injuries during the League. 'Obviously I'd love to have been involved,' he says of last July. 'I'd have loved to have been a part of it and try and make an impact, but it's about being a grown up as well and if that's not the case then you've got to take it on the chin and regroup again. You've no other choice, really. 'Every player that's involved wants to be getting as much game time as humanly possible, everyone wants to be impacting positively, and when it doesn't happen, you'd be heartbroken in a way. But that's the whole gig. It's sport, it's not meant to be this kind of nice, everyone gets a go. Every player here has experienced the highs and lows of coming on, hopefully, with a big win on the team and others not coming on at all and mentally dealing with that.' Wayne Sherlock was also present at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last week. He heaped praise on the 32-year-old for never raising his voice and forever keeping his head down during those barren times. Read More Seánie McGrath: Tipperary yet to prove they can live with destructive Cork trio 'He came back this year and have I ever seen him complain or look pissed off? No. There's a lot of fellas who are pissed off and should be because they're not getting game-time, it's very, very hard, but I've never looked at him once and said, 'he's not happy tonight',' Sherlock remarked. 'He just comes in, keeps the head down, gets his work done. The way he has performed [in training] since before the Munster final, he deserves every minute he gets on the pitch.' The doors slid favourably and fortunately for him on the night of the Munster final. He was sent into action at the end of the third of four injury-time allotted minutes. Aaron Gillane was lining up a potentially match-winning free further down the Mackey Stand. The free was off-target, as were Ciarán Joyce and Darragh O'Donovan in an erratic and exhilarating finish. Had any of the three pointed, Lehane would never have got the 20 extra-time minutes where he spectacularly re-emerged in red. He sniped a pair of points. He assisted a third. He nailed the penalty that resuscitated Cork early in the shootout. 'It's brilliant to get that opportunity to have that 20 minutes and just showcase or do whatever you can to impact the game,' continued the Bulmers employee. 'It was unreal to experience [penalties], especially the way I'd been out for a while and not really involved, and then when the opportunity came you don't be thinking about that because you'd be a bag of nerves otherwise. 'To be involved in the way it ended, the aftermath and the dressing room, it's worth any bit of hardship you went through throughout the year to experience that. And I know it's not guaranteed but when it did happen, you just try and take in the moment as best as you can.' One more moment he craves, one more opportunity.
