The Cork and Kerry teams line out before the 2013 Munster final. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
TOMORROW NOEL O’LEARY will point his car in the direction of Killarney.
It’s a well-worn trail and the destination is a familiar one – Fitzgerald Stadium for a Munster football showdown.
He’ll be slipping into an unfamiliar role though, casual bystander instead of main protagonist.
“It’s a strange one alright. My first time going to Killarney as an adult spectator. From when I was 16, I was involved in various Cork teams from minor level.
“Whenever I was heading back to Killarney my mind was on the game, not thinking about the atmosphere.
“It’s a totally different ball game this year, it’s way more relaxed. In one way you’d miss not having the butterflies in the stomach but there’s no pressure on you and it’s more an occasion I can just enjoy.”
Noel O'Leary in action against Declan O'Sullivan back in 2013. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
He’s plenty enjoyable childhood memories to draw on of Cork-Kerry jousts across the county bounds.
“I grew up in a family that were very staunch GAA followers. My father in particular would have gone to a lot of Cork games and all the ones in Killarney.
“I’ve a lot of memories going back there. It was at a time when Cork were dominating Munster football and was a great occasion for young lads. Killarney’s the sort of place where you start dreaming of your own football career.
“I’d say my best memory was back in ’88 or ’89 when John O’Driscoll got a great goal there. He’s from a neighbouring parish (Ballingeary) so that stuck in my head a bit more. The celebrations were mighty.”
More recently, it’s been a pretty barren hunting ground for Cork football folk with their two decade wait for a senior championship triumph.
“That statistic is largely media driven,” argues O’Leary.
“When you break it down, Cork in the last 10-12 years have played there only seven or eight times. There’s been four draws and Kerry have beaten us a few times back there.
“It’s not a case that this current team has been playing them every year back there. It’s a bit over blown.
“The one time Cork well beaten recently there was in 2004. I would have been involved then and that was a Kerry team that were a nice bit ahead of Cork. No qualms about that game.
“But there’s a few times, I thought decisions went against us. Derek Kavanagh had a goal chance at the end in ’07 but he was blatantly pulled by the jersey and kicked the ball wide. We got no penalty.
Derek Kavanagh in action in 2007. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“In 2010 then we were home and hosed really and Kerry got three dubious frees. The one that sticks out is one Colm Cooper got. You can put it down to experience if you like but he took an awful lot of steps and then kicked it over to draw the game.
“They were the tiny margins but that’s the joys of the game I’m afraid.”
The 2010 draw that O’Leary refers to was officiated by Padraig Hughes. The Armagh man is the whistler again on Sunday.
Armagh's Padraig Hughes Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“I think Padraig Hughes is a really good referee but there’s going to be plenty responsibility on his shoulders.
“Kerry are All-Ireland champions and at certain times decisions can go the champions way. The games are so tight back there that those decisions can be crucial. I hope he can keep a level playing field but I’ve full belief in him that he can do that.”
The build-up to the game was spiced by the verbal grenades that Tomás Ó Sé launched into the mix. The ‘rudderless’ tag doesn’t tally with O’Leary’s viewpoint.
Noel O'Leary and Tomás Ó Sé in opposition back in 2006. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
“I know Tomas reasonably well having played down against him down through the years.
“There’s no doubt, he’s a very shrewd operator and a very shrewd guy.
“In my opinion, he’s probably very close to Éamonn Fitzmaurice, so to me it would seem that these comments are more than likely coming directly from the Kerry camp.
“He’s very close to base there. A lot of the points, I wouldn’t fully agree with. There’s a lot of quality in this Cork team, it’s just a case of seeing their potential and getting it out of themselves.”
The Cork players before their league final against Dublin. Tommy Grealy / INPHO
Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO
O’Leary will take his seat in Killarney tomorrow but will he see his former teammates deliver on that potential to cause a shock result?
“Cork are a talented bunch but a few results that have kind of knocked them back.
“I genuinely feel collectively if they can get it together, they’ve a fierce chance. A victory down there could spark something for them.
“Kerry are raging hot favourites and rightly so but I just feel the Cork guys, they need to really believe they’re in with a chance.
“Kerry are definitely not world beaters. There’s a few weaknesses there, if the Cork guys can expose this.”
After years of featuring in Cork-Kerry battles, what's it like to be watching on?
TOMORROW NOEL O’LEARY will point his car in the direction of Killarney.
It’s a well-worn trail and the destination is a familiar one – Fitzgerald Stadium for a Munster football showdown.
He’ll be slipping into an unfamiliar role though, casual bystander instead of main protagonist.
“It’s a strange one alright. My first time going to Killarney as an adult spectator. From when I was 16, I was involved in various Cork teams from minor level.
“Whenever I was heading back to Killarney my mind was on the game, not thinking about the atmosphere.
“It’s a totally different ball game this year, it’s way more relaxed. In one way you’d miss not having the butterflies in the stomach but there’s no pressure on you and it’s more an occasion I can just enjoy.”
He’s plenty enjoyable childhood memories to draw on of Cork-Kerry jousts across the county bounds.
“I grew up in a family that were very staunch GAA followers. My father in particular would have gone to a lot of Cork games and all the ones in Killarney.
“I’ve a lot of memories going back there. It was at a time when Cork were dominating Munster football and was a great occasion for young lads. Killarney’s the sort of place where you start dreaming of your own football career.
“I’d say my best memory was back in ’88 or ’89 when John O’Driscoll got a great goal there. He’s from a neighbouring parish (Ballingeary) so that stuck in my head a bit more. The celebrations were mighty.”
More recently, it’s been a pretty barren hunting ground for Cork football folk with their two decade wait for a senior championship triumph.
“That statistic is largely media driven,” argues O’Leary.
“When you break it down, Cork in the last 10-12 years have played there only seven or eight times. There’s been four draws and Kerry have beaten us a few times back there.
“It’s not a case that this current team has been playing them every year back there. It’s a bit over blown.
“The one time Cork well beaten recently there was in 2004. I would have been involved then and that was a Kerry team that were a nice bit ahead of Cork. No qualms about that game.
“But there’s a few times, I thought decisions went against us. Derek Kavanagh had a goal chance at the end in ’07 but he was blatantly pulled by the jersey and kicked the ball wide. We got no penalty.
“In 2010 then we were home and hosed really and Kerry got three dubious frees. The one that sticks out is one Colm Cooper got. You can put it down to experience if you like but he took an awful lot of steps and then kicked it over to draw the game.
“They were the tiny margins but that’s the joys of the game I’m afraid.”
The 2010 draw that O’Leary refers to was officiated by Padraig Hughes. The Armagh man is the whistler again on Sunday.
“I think Padraig Hughes is a really good referee but there’s going to be plenty responsibility on his shoulders.
“Kerry are All-Ireland champions and at certain times decisions can go the champions way. The games are so tight back there that those decisions can be crucial. I hope he can keep a level playing field but I’ve full belief in him that he can do that.”
The build-up to the game was spiced by the verbal grenades that Tomás Ó Sé launched into the mix. The ‘rudderless’ tag doesn’t tally with O’Leary’s viewpoint.
“I know Tomas reasonably well having played down against him down through the years.
“There’s no doubt, he’s a very shrewd operator and a very shrewd guy.
“In my opinion, he’s probably very close to Éamonn Fitzmaurice, so to me it would seem that these comments are more than likely coming directly from the Kerry camp.
“He’s very close to base there. A lot of the points, I wouldn’t fully agree with. There’s a lot of quality in this Cork team, it’s just a case of seeing their potential and getting it out of themselves.”
O’Leary will take his seat in Killarney tomorrow but will he see his former teammates deliver on that potential to cause a shock result?
“Cork are a talented bunch but a few results that have kind of knocked them back.
“I genuinely feel collectively if they can get it together, they’ve a fierce chance. A victory down there could spark something for them.
“Kerry are raging hot favourites and rightly so but I just feel the Cork guys, they need to really believe they’re in with a chance.
“Kerry are definitely not world beaters. There’s a few weaknesses there, if the Cork guys can expose this.”
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