Keith Ricken: Clare win 'pales into insignificance' after death of Darragh King

Cork minor football manager Keith Ricken said his team’s emphatic 4-25 to 0-12 win over Clare in Clarecastle “pales into insignificance” in the shadow of the sudden passing of Carrigaline and MTU Cork GAA player Darragh King, whose death at the age of 24 last week has left the GAA community on Leeside numb. 

Ricken, who has long championed the wellbeing and development of young players above all else, spoke with clear emotion after the game on Monday evening. 

While proud of his group’s performance in their Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 2 opener, he stressed that the result must be looked at through a different lens.

“Young fellas give you their heart and soul,” he said quietly.

“And when something like this happens in terms of Darragh King, it puts everything in perspective. You’re reminded very quickly what really matters. This win pales into insignificance really. 

“These minors are still only young men. They’re learning about football, but they’re also learning about life. A tragedy like this… it hits everyone. All you can do is support each other.

“I was at the funeral today. Everyone has really come together as a community — Carrigaline GAA, MTU Cork, Darragh’s friends, classmates and so on. I knew him well, an outstanding person.

“It took me nearly two hours coming up the road this evening to gather my thoughts to prepare for the game. I must say that I was very impressed with Eoghan Ahern — he’s from Carrigaline and scored a few points. It’s a tough time for the Carrigaline club.

“Playing Kerry, Munster finals… no matter what you think, it doesn’t really matter when something like this happens. My thoughts right now are with Darragh’s family.” 

On the field, Cork delivered a display of control, movement and scoring power that overwhelmed a Clare side playing their fourth championship match in as many weeks.

“I’m delighted for the players,” Ricken says.

“They worked very hard and they’re a very enthusiastic bunch. You don’t always know what way young players will be when they get off the bus — they can be nervous — and there was a bit of that at the start. But overall they did the basics very well.

“The players weren’t forcing shots that weren’t on. They worked it around, got a few goals, and that got their confidence up.

“The movement was very good.  The coaching team have done a great job — Maurice Moore and Billy O’Connor — they’re really good. We’ve had an uninterrupted run with the players, and that makes a big difference.

“Our preparation was excellent. As I said to you last week, we had about ten matches, including winning the Leinster Development League.

“We were able to plan our challenge matches better. We had a couple of rehearsals for nights like this — travelling two and a half, three hours up the country on a school night. I am delighted for the lads. They were excellent."

Despite the margin of victory, Ricken was quick to dampen any talk of momentum or statements made. Cork face Kerry in their next group-stage outing next Monday in Austin Stack Park in Tralee (7pm).

“As I was saying to the lads, there are four walls in a house — and that’s one plastered. We’ve three more to plaster before we even talk about the roof. We’re not getting carried away.

“This is over now. The next game is all that matters, and that’s Kerry next Monday.”