Dinny Allen: The Allen assessment of Cork GAA

It is well documented that Denis (Dinny) Allen of Nemo Rangers was one of the most talented Gaelic football players ever to don the red and white jersey of Cork and his tally of eight Senior Cork County championship medals and four All-Ireland club titles is testament to his incredible shooting skills.

Allen captained Cork to win the Senior All-Ireland in 1989 and it was a double for the Rebels that year as they also won the National football league.

Nowadays Dinny is enjoying retirement having a few trips to Spain for some sunshine and a game of golf but his love for Nemo Rangers has never waned as he consistently attends their games.

Looking back on last season when Nemo went so close to winning the Senior county Allen feels they were very unlucky.

“I was disappointed for the players and management as I felt they were very unlucky not to win the final against the Barrs but when you have eight wides coming down the stretch of any game you do feel is wasn’t going to be your day against a very good St Finbarr’s side,” Denis said.

Looking back on the Munster club final Allen believes the Barrs can feel hard done by.

“Who in the name of God bring in these rules and I have to say the Barrs were really unlucky but when you look at Dingle in the All- Ireland club final their name was written on all titles this season.

“I looked at the Kerry county final and Dingle looked dead and buried at half time but in the second half they were superb and that was the trend all season as they always finished their games with purpose,” added Allen.

On the other side of the coin Allen believes the Barrs were long overdue a win against Nemo in a county final.

“Look you have to fair on the day the Barrs gave us a chance to win it and we didn’t take it but they have been working hard out there for many years and I think they proved in the Munster championship final how good a side they really are.” 

The return of Kieran Histon last season was a great boost to Nemo but he has returned to Australia and Dinny believes the team will be weakened further.

“I am told we have three players going to America until September and losing Colin Molloy will be a huge loss as he is an unbelievable centre- back but I am led to believe other clubs will also lose players who are also travelling to the States.” 

As a former great of Cork football Dinny continues to follow the progress of the present county side.

“To be fair they have got off to a great start and to be fair after digging deep in their home game against Cavan travelling to play Louth away was always going to be test because winning on the road is never easy at the top tier of football.

“I do feel Cork are improving and in Stephen Sherlock they have a magnificent kicker of the ball and under the present rules these type of players are invaluable.” Looking back on the football intercounty series last season Allen believes Cork were very competitive.

“I think Cork running Kerry so close done the Kingdom a favour as they seemed to rally big time from that game as they got a serious fright.” 

The progress of Kerry after the Munster championship was clear to see.

“I think they showed class and maturity from the quarter- final as to defeat three northern teams is no mean feat but they did so with class.

“The final against Donegal was a masterclass and you would have to say Kerry have set another benchmark that all counties will need to reach if they are to be dethroned in this year’s championship.” 

Over the years Dinny has always had a tremendous love and admiration for hurling but like many on Leeside he found last year’s defeat to Tipperary hard to fathom.

“I think the second performance was a freak of nature that Cork couldn’t get going in the second half but look that’s sport and the players and management deserve a lot of credit in the manner they played in last year’s campaign.

“What really irritated me was some of the stuff that was put up on social media which to be was an insult to all concerned as these players had given their all only for a few keyboard warriors to try and insult their intelligence.” 

Denis Allen has been a wonderful servant to GAA and will always be remembered as one of the finest footballers ever produced in this county.