Cork boss takes time to reflect

Considering what he's achieved in one year John Allen couldn't be blamed if he walked away now and spent the rest of his life enjoying the dream. Winning an All-Ireland in your first year as manager, not just of this Cork team but of any senior team, will always be hard to surpass and yet yesterday Allen was typically restrained about any talk of the future.

"When they asked me to be manager at the beginning of the year I asked for the one term. The fact that I had no experience, no background, and no pedigree. If I felt it was an albatross around my neck then I wanted to be able to let it go. Especially if the job was too big for me. But I'll reflect on it now, talk to my wife, and when all the hype dies down I'll decide if I want to go on.

"It does take a huge amount of time, and a huge amount of mental time. I mean going out now is a bit of a landmine situation. But I have to say that 99 per cent of the time it's well-wishers, and then the odd bit of unsolicited advice. Obviously going for three-in-a-row is also historic in hurling terms. So we'll see."

Brian Corcoran has announced that he would go on for another year. Sean Óg Ó hAilpín more or less said Allen would have to stay. And players like Ronan Curran, who could have been dropped before the final, are already intent on repaying the faith. Then there's that small matter of three All-Ireland titles in succession.

"I wasn't thinking beyond 5.0 o'clock on Sunday, because there is such a vast difference between winning and losing an All-Ireland. Obviously it will be spoken about now, but I know that with the calibre of players we have it will be a real target for next year.

"And I think on Sunday our experience did count for a lot. I also think our six backs, plus Wayne Sherlock and Cian O'Connor, are the best unit in the country. That doesn't mean they'll be the best next year, but I've no doubt they are right now.

"And possibly our midfield too. Some of Tom Kenny's runs on Sunday would make any athlete proud. And Jerry O'Connor is like the Roy Keane of the team, just up and down the field all afternoon. And then we had Ben O'Connor coming out and scoring 1-5 from play.

"So while we mightn't have played as well as we did in the second half of last year, we certainly played our best 70 minutes of hurling this year. That's always a great source of satisfaction. Like, we saved the best wine until last."

Curran is just one who believes Allen is the man to lead them into the hunt for a third All-Ireland - not least because of the faith he showed after the semi-final win over Clare.

"There were doubts in the back of my mind after the one or two bad games, and you'd be wondering to yourself what's wrong. But in fairness to John, he sat me down the week afterwards and told me I would be playing the next day, and to go out and prove everyone wrong.

"The set-up is so professional, and all the players are, that it will drive us on now. We've so many great leaders on the team, but we all know it won't last forever. So we'll enjoy it while we can."