Ben O'Connor: New Cork performance coach Gerry Hussey the best at what he does

Cork hurling manager Ben O’Connor regards new performance coach Gerry Hussey as the best in the business.

While the new boss – who takes charge of the county in the league for the first time with the visit of Waterford to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow (3.45pm) – had not previously worked with the Galway native, awareness of his work made him one of his first ports of call.

“I just saw him, a few articles and seminars and things,” O’Connor says.

“If you want the best, you have to go straight to the top and Gerry is the best. He's been involved with boxing and GAA teams and everything.

“What we like about him is that he knows the GAA. I think it's a big part of today's game – it's only a small thing but still, fellas have lives outside of hurling as well. There are problems, there are issues, it doesn't always have to be over hurling.

“He'll have a chat with them because there are lots of things going on in fellas' lives. Delighted that Gerry got involved and he's head, neck and heels in it now at the moment.

“To a man, I'd say the players are delighted with what he's brought to the table so far.”

While Hussey has not sat down with the group of players to discuss last July’s All-Ireland SHC final loss, O’Connor has been impressed with the attitude he has brough.

“A bit of positivity, vibrancy,” he says.

“Even if he only walked in and sat in the middle of us here, you'd feed off him. He's so positive and that's all we're looking for.

“He comes in and he's one of the lads. He'll have a mess and a joke and a craic with the fellas there. When a point has to be made, he's well able to make it and make it fairly clear.

“He's just one of the lads. He falls in and that's all he wants to be. He just wants to be one of the lads.”