Hard work paying off for Luke Fahy

BALLINCOLLIG’S Luke Fahy has been one of Cork's best players in the last few matches as the Rebels finished the Allianz Division 2 football league strongly.

The Leesiders picked up seven points from the last four games to finish in fourth, having picked up zero points in the first three matches. Out of the seven league outings, Fahy was dropped for the fourth league game away to Fermanagh, but came on at half-time in that one and hasn’t looked back since.

He will be one of the key players tomorrow when Cork open their championship campaign against Limerick in the Munster quarter-final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2pm.

In only his second full season with the panel, the defender certainly has made an impression at wing-back. A man who knows him better than anyone else is Brendan Hogan, who trained Fahy in football in the Ballincollig's underage system for 15 years, from U5 all the way up to U21, and he isn’t surprised to see where Fahy is today.

“From a very early age, I knew Luke was onto something special,” says Hogan.

“But, in saying that, all of the players that Luke played with up through the years were all part of him getting to where he's today. From the minute I had him at U5 level, you could see straight away there was something in him. He never missed training or matches, there was never any excuses. Even if he was injured he turned up to watch. He was so dedicated over the years that you could see he was going to go somewhere.

“He was a good hurler too and John Linehan and his hurling management team did great work with him going up through the ranks. He was captain of our team at various grades and now he’s captain of the Ballincollig premier senior footballers which shows the progress he has made. I am not shocked to see where he’s today. He’s a gentleman and works so hard and he’s one of the first names on the team sheet for the Cork footballers now.” 

Fahy is a fine footballer and a natural fit in the Cork team, but what are his key strengths according to Hogan?

“He was the Roy Keane on our team from U5 to U21, he was a leader,” Hogan said.

“Luke’s personality, attitude and dedication was a big plus for us. Also, family is everything for Luke and they have all played a huge part in where he’s today. His father Willie and mother Mary Anne have been on the line since day one. His brothers Liam and David are good footballers too and his girlfriend Laura has been supportive and when you get support from family, it’s a good thing and it helps and motivates you. Family is at the heart of the GAA.” 

Fahy’s only championship appearance for the Cork minors was in 2016 as a 54th minute substitute in the defeat to Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final. He wasn’t on the U20 panel for personal reasons, but he has really flourished in recent seasons and is now one of Cork’s main players on the senior set-up.

“When you look at how far Luke has come on over the past 10 years or so, it's just brilliant,” says Hogan.

“He has progressed big time in recent seasons and fair play to the Cork manager John Cleary and his backroom team, it shows the work they are doing for Luke. John Cooper went abroad and it opened the door at the start of last season and Luke has taken it. If you don’t take your opportunity when it comes around, you know what’s going to happen.” 

The Ballincollig player, who will turn 26 in July, is still relatively a newcomer to the Cork team in what is only his second full season on the panel, as mentioned at the start.

“I met Luke in Tesco’s recently and to see his physique and so on, he has many years ahead of him at the top level. I could see him playing for Cork for another 10 years, he has so much to offer.” Hogan concluded.