BRENDAN CUMMINS SAYS he questioned his decision to walk away from the Tipperary panel after they went 10 points ahead against Kilkenny this year.
After 19 years between the sticks, Brendan Cummins decided the time was right to retire from hurling last October, taking up an analyst position for RTÉ’s coverage of this year’s championship.
But it was while working with RTÉ for Tipperary’s league clash with Kilkenny earlier this month that Cummins says he began to have his doubts.
“Much the same as last year, I sat down to watch it — I was working at it so I was over with RTÉat two o’clock. I sat down beside Eddie Brennan and watched it on the telly there,” explained the two time All-Ireland winner.
“We didn’t kill each other which was a good start. Because the 09′ final we were that close to each other there could have been murder.”
Tipperary went 10 points ahead in Nowlan Park approaching the break, only to lose that game by six points to their bitter rivals.
“It was edgy. Not being at the game would have helped from that point of view,” he says. “Below in Nowlan Park was the worst I’ve ever felt. I didn’t know where to go. I could feel my heart thumping inside my chest. Tipp went 10 points up – I was thinking: ‘what a mistake you’re after making here, these lads are flying and you’re after walking away.’
“I could see things that could have been changed out the pitch that would have stopped the comeback. It was that helplessness that was the feeling, one I hadn’t had before.”
After 73 championship appearances for Tipperary in consecutive years since 1994, Cummins is still adjusting to life outside of the wire.
“It was a sickener. Leaving the field with the supporters and trying to link in with people, to kinda cry on each other’s shoulders. There was good banter.
“I found with supporters, I haven’t had any crazy person beside me in the stand yet. I’m sure it’s going to happen at some stage; how I keep my cool will be the next thing. It’s been all good so far.”
In January, Cummins was unveiled as the new goalkeeping coach for the Kerry hurlers — but he says he’s not quite ready to fulfill his dream of managing Tipperary.
“At some stage I think it will come but I need an awful lot of experience first.”
“That’s what I’m getting out of the Kerry thing. The RTÉ piece I’m getting to see a lot more games and see how other guys are thinking about games and they way they read them.
“So, I think there is a big step between playing the game and moving on to manage a team and it will take an awful lot more experience.”
“There may be an opportunity down the line will come but for me I want to do the job like I played the game, absolute 100 per cent and know what I’m doing rather than going in and saying I’m living off the reputation I had with Tipp and going in and saying, ‘he was a good goalie, he must be a good manager’.”
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Brendan Cummins was speaking at the launch of ‘Fields Of Fire’ by journalist Damian Lawlor. See here for further details.
Well he pretty much got hit by a car in the Wales game and was 100% in minutes !! He could get over anything in 48 hours !!
And if I remember correctly, the car is a write-off.
Hopefully if won’t spread through the camp.
I can’t believe they’re out camping in this weather! Mad stuff!
In BOD we trust
Too much partying with Seanie Fitz Bod???
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/seanie-fitzpatrick-anglo-irish-went-2671143
http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/sean-fitzpatrick-brian-odriscoll-testimonial-dinner_3932733
I’m sure Bod will recover- he’s seen worse. Great to see Donnacha back in camp and driving up the standards. Sounds like Schmidt has everyone playing for the collective.
Can’t remember Ireland ever being able to lose a match and have such an outstanding points difference that the championship was still on.
This, and Cole’s absence makes me quitely confident.
Roll on that flight on friday. Twickers here we come.
Who starts instead of O’Driscoll. Candidates are Marshall (a 12), Henshaw (Inexperienced / better fullback) Cave (untried) McFadden (better for sub role / better winger), Bowe (not fully fit / untried). I assume McFadden as cover last week is the likely call. Not sure if there is any outstanding candidate for this game but Cave as a natural 13 nearly gets my vote. When Payne becomes eligible in autumn he leapfrogs them all. Hopefully O’driscoll recovers because without him an edgy win will become a narrow loss
If BOD out has to be Cave at 13, im a big Henshaw fan but he better suited to FB and his best performances for Connacht has been there
I’d agree with you on Cave. He’s a natural 13 who is in great form. If you can’t get in scoring the way he has been provincially this year, then you’re forever doomed.
That said, I’d also like to see Madigan go in the centre. I continue to believe that might be his way to break in.
Cave is injured.
Cat amongst the pigeons here but I would think there’s a real chance of Darcy to 13 and Marshall at 12.
There’s a few options, joe had used Darcy at 13 before, pushing Marshall to 12.
He could go for any of henshaw, cave or McFadden and of course joe being joe there’s always the option he has up his sleeve.
If we can manage without PoC on the morning if a game then we can do the same without bod with a weeks notice.
Big difference between England and Scotland though Chris. I’d prefer to have BoD there before any one else. Defensive ability if no other reason. I think it would upset the team a bit too.
Who’s Bug?
And this is the start of the mind games.. Latest score = 1-0 to schmidt
Darcy to 13 and Luke Marshall at 12 if BOD isn’t fit? If I remember correctly Darcy made his debut in Paris in 2004 at 13 when BOD was injured
Trimble can cover outside centre, McFadden to the wing Henshaw to the bench.
It will be Henshaw if BO D is out, good game to try him out. If your good enough your old enough as they say
Odriscolls vertigo playing up again me thinks.
Does anyone here know where the Ireland rugby team usually train? I know that Leinster and Munster have their own facilities at the University College grounds and the Ireland football team uses Malahide’s facilities at Ganon Park. Anyone?
Who’s bug?