Every time we sit down with Ger Cunningham we’re not sure where to start given the multiple subjects, all hurling related that we can talk about.
The one that jumps out is his current job as Dublin manager but when you consider the other options the decision becomes far less obvious. Firstly, there’s the Cork County Board and the much talked about development or lack of underage talent in the Rebel County. Having worked with age grade teams and the senior side in recent seasons he’s well placed to comment. There’s the upcoming All Ireland Final and of course there’s the reason we are in his company this time around in his role as Sports Ambassador for the Bord Gais Energy Under 21 Hurling Championship.
It’s another management position of sorts as it means he’s the lead selector on the team of the year panel that also composes Ken McGrath, Joe Canning, TG4's GAA Beo host Micheál Ó Domhnaill as well as yours truly.
“Forewarned is forearmed” says Cunningham of the first game on Saturday’s Under 21 semi-final double header as three in a row Leinster champions Wexford try to avoid the catastrophe of two years ago when they lost to an Antrim side who didn’t even have a full panel for the game. Cunningham doesn’t expect any such surprise this time and admits that the Limerick/Galway game is the main event. “I think Wexford will get through on one side but the other one is a toss up”.
Limerick haven’t reached this stage since Dave Keane’s golden generation annexed three All Ireland’s in a row, the last of which was in 2002. Cunningham says this Limerick side have been impressive coming through tough ties against a talent filled Tipperary side in the semi final, before beating three in a row All Ireland winners Clare in Ennis in the Munster final. “The benefit of having two tough games is a big advantage going into the semi final” says the Dubs boss who has been impressed by the Shannonsiders work ethic and balance.
Cian Lynch has been a stand out minor in the last few seasons made his mark in Limerick's opener with Clare in the Munster Senior Championship and he’s taken that form into this competition as well. Cunningham identifies him as a leader and likes the third midfielder role Lynch plays; “he gets involved in the game and is really exciting to watch. Limerick supporters get a buzz out of watching him”.
Limerick players celebrate in the dressing rooms after the Munster Final. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
As always Galway go straight into All Ireland semi final so it’s tough for both those inside and out of the camp to assess what form they are in however there should be a buoyant atmosphere around the county after their seniors, minors and camogie sides all reached All Ireland deciders last weekend while the week before their Intermediates beat Cork in their All Ireland Final.
Those are the positives, but the negatives are obvious. Many of the players have been otherwise engaged with Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion, Jason Flynn, Paul Kileen and Sean Sweeny among those involved in the senior panel and with Eanna Burke, Daragh O’Donoughue and Eamon Brannigan all in the intermediates it means while players are match sharp they haven’t trained as a unit. That may pose problems for manager Johnny Kelly who watched his side bow out to Wexford this time last year despite a stirring performance.
Cunningham says despite the Tribesmen’s deep talent pool, a lack of collective training could be an issue. “Having the benefit of coming through a provincial campaign stood to Wexford last year and I think the same thing might happen Galway year but on paper and on form they have some serious players”.
We don’t want to bring a brother down but having talked about the under 21’s the attention then turns to the Dubs Championship exit, it’s almost a month since they lost to Waterford in the quarter final but Ger Cunningham is focusing on the positives. “We felt we had ourselves in a very good position at half time but lost our way in the first five or six minutes in the second half, we showed great determination and great heart we stuck in there we chased the game".
The Metropolitans manager goes onto talk more generally about the year; “we had good days and some days we’d like to forget about I think the foundation is there to build on we felt if we had gotten over Waterford we would have loved a cut off Kilkenny. Traditionally Dublin would have no fear of Kilkenny. We’d love to have played them ”.
So what about Cork and what’s going on at underage level? The Saint Finbarr's stalwart insists good work I being done. “I’ve seen it first hand myself because I was involved with the under 15’s last year there is a lot of good work being done in development squads. It takes time for talent to come through but you will see the benefits of the underage stricture thats been there for the last few years in the next few years”.
Cunningham’s chat about the Under 21 Championship, his first year in charge of Dublin and the coaching structures of Cork is available in full on the Rewind Podcast, the link for which is bellow.
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