The big interview: Tracey Kennedy on the challenges facing the Cork County Board and GAA community on Leeside

“All hope isn’t lost yet. You have to remain hopeful and certainly, the situation has vastly improved but at the same time we’re only just going through the first phase of restrictions being eased. The country is slowly opening back up. The GAA will allow us return when it’s safe to do so and that cuts across my role in education because if we’re training and playing matches then the schools will be returning.”

There are broader financial concerns for Cork GAA in the short term. The overhaul of Páirc Uí Chaoimh left a massive debt to be paid off.

“It’s like the scenario with the Cork footballers, who had done everything right to get promoted from Division 3 and put themselves in a strong position approaching the championship. Of course it’s frustrating but you have to be confident the benefits will still be felt even if it’s in 2021.”

Alongside manager Donal Óg Cusack and selectors Tom Kenny and Kieran ‘Fraggie’ Murphy, Seán Óg is involved in a minor set-up that was given a one-year term. U16 boss Noel Furlong and his selectors are earmarked to take over.

“We’ve been building underage for some time now, in terms of Rebel Óg structures, development squads, the cohesive approach to management teams going forward. I won’t see it, as my term will be over but it was always about proper planning. The bedrock is there now and in the last few years we’ve seen Cork hurling teams reaching All-Ireland finals again and then the footballers winning at U20 and minor.”

“I love reading, fresh air and I’ve close family and friends nearby. I’m lucky. We just all have to remember ‘This will pass’.”
