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Hurling

New Cork hurling manager John Meyler relishing new role and son David's Ireland soccer captaincy

The 2017 season showed plenty of signs of promise for the Cork hurlers after a couple of difficul...



New Cork hurling manager John...
Hurling

New Cork hurling manager John Meyler relishing new role and son David's Ireland soccer captaincy

The 2017 season showed plenty of signs of promise for the Cork hurlers after a couple of difficult years at senior level.

But with manager Kieran Kingston stepping aside last month, a crucial vacancy needed to be filled and John Meyler is the man who will fill the breach.

Father of Ireland soccer international David Meyler, who recently captained the country in crucial World Cup qualifiers, has worked as a selector and Cork under-21 coach as well as managing the Kerry hurlers.  

New Cork hurling manager John Meyler relishing new role and son David's Ireland soccer captaincy

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He joined Nathan to discuss taking on the Cork senior role, paying tribute to Kingston.

"I was disappointed Kieran went because he had really developed the team in the last year and actually brought on five young fellas and they really made in-roads last year where Cork were successful, so I was hoping that he would stay and really build on that for next year and the year after with the talent that's coming ahead now in Cork," he said, before touching on the importance of having a strong backroom team.

David Meyler INPHO

"I have really good people with me. Neil O'Keeffe is our administration manager, a really good guy and has been there with Kieran. He organises everything and sets up everything," he said.

"You have to delegate work to people and then ensure that everything is done but the lads that are there are really good."  

He added that building on Kingston's good work will be the aim now and will also look to introduce two or three emerging players and acknowledged the huge expectations on Cork.

With the new round-robin format in the Munster championship next year increasing the number of games, he also feels it will have an impact on training and recovery for players.

"It's more stressful, it's more challenging, it's more difficult on players," he said.

Turning to son David's recent elevation to Ireland captaincy status for games against Moldova and Wales, he spoke of his pride.

"David had a very good couple of matches with Ireland against Moldova and Wales and we're absolutely thrilled that Ireland have qualified for the playoffs against Denmark and he kind of knew I was in the picture for the Cork hurling so he's delighted and the family are delighted," he said, before touching on David being handed the armband by Martin O'Neill.

"I partly guessed he would be [made captain for Moldova] because Robbie [Brady] and James [McClean] were out and Seamus [Coleman] wasn't there and Martin gave him the armband against the USA a few years ago and they knew each other well and I think David thrives in that situation. He's a leader, a great character, he's what you want in players.

"The guy has character, he has resilience and he has leadership qualities and that's what I admire about him. He's really good that way. To captain Ireland in Wales was super." 

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