Luke Fahy: From the long road back to the road to Killarney 

For Luke Fahy, the last year and a half has been about setbacks, recovery, and trying to feel like himself again.

A hamstring injury, an ankle injury, and months of rehab meant he was off the pitch far longer than he ever imagined.

Now the hard work is showing. And as Cork prepare to face Kerry on Sunday in the Munster SFC final at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney (1.45pm), Fahy is playing some of his best football of his career. 

“It was a long road back,” the Ballincollig player admits.

“I wouldn’t say a new start though, because I’ve been around the lads for a long time. I’m getting a run of games and that’s probably the difference. 

"I feel that’s probably the start of where I’m at now, and it ties into me being consistent — that I’m on the field. 

"So, look, I’m delighted about it, to be honest, and that I’m able to keep playing.” 

That hunger is timely, because Cork need every bit of it heading into Fitzgerald Stadium. Everyone in Cork knows the record: the last championship win there came back in 1995.

“We’re going down to play Kerry, not Fitzgerald Stadium,” Fahy says.

“I think we’ve always been ultra-competitive against Kerry. It’s just about pushing ourselves to go another level, and I feel we’re building towards that. 

"Kerry are All-Ireland champions. They were the best team in Ireland last year. They’re Munster champions, so they were the best team in Munster last year as well.” 

Cork have been heading in the right direction under manager John Cleary in recent years, culminating in promotion from Division 2 back in March — a return to the top tier after a decade away.

“We’ve taken steps, but steps don’t count unless you keep taking them,” Fahy states.

“We want to push on again. I’d be big on consistency, and having John [Cleary] as a constant is probably the most important thing. He’s been brilliant and he keeps it fresh, in fairness, and he’s always trying to better the group. He puts his life on hold and he puts everything there for us. 

"He’s been brilliant and he’s built an unbelievable backroom team around him. He wants the best for Cork football and I’m delighted that he stayed on, to be honest.” 

Fahy was 12 years old when Cork won the All-Ireland in 2010. Cork football has always been in his blood.

“I was up there next to the journalists with my mother. Two club men playing — Johnny Miskella and Pa Kelly.” 

The Rebels haven’t won the Munster title since 2012. A first Munster final in five years. To lift silverware in their rivals’ backyard would mean so much to Cork football.

“Walking up to Killarney, it’s something as a player growing up — as a young fella — you dream of. For this group, it’s been a long time coming, five years. It’s a big challenge ahead, but we’re really looking forward to it.”