Allen proud to sup from poisoned chalice

Interview with John Allen: Being a realist, John Allen knows he is not held in the same high esteem as Jimmy Barry Murphy or Donal O'Grady. Nevertheless, he has played a huge role in engraving those two names high up on the tablets of Cork hurling legend.

You see, the new Cork manager acted as the right hand man for both when they delivered All-Ireland titles. And yet, the affable Togher primary school teacher is under no illusions about the huge task of emulating those he served under. He has a chance to fall flat on his face in Cork's very first championship day out next summer.

"It is the prime draw. Waterford will feel maybe they could have beaten Kilkenny and gone on and won the All-Ireland," he says. "That has the makings of a real top class game again."

"A poisoned chalice," he laughs, when asked about what follows.

"It was not an aim or ambition of mine, but I was honoured to be asked and I've given it careful consideration. I know I am on a hiding to nothing. But you know, opportunities like this don't happen in one's life very often, I'm looking forward to trying to emulate what Donal has done."

He knows the players and knows the style that best suits them. He knows Cork hurling. So, there is only one task to do in the cold of winter. Find another selector. Ah, but he knows who that is too.

"I've somebody who just has to verify one or two things in his family and work situations, which I expect to be okay. I'm not saying for a while because I don't want somebody feeling he is second choice if this doesn't happen."

There are a few clues though. He's worked with him before and it's not Seanie McMahon. The great corner forward of the 1970s and 1980s has decided, for personal reasons, to step away from the highest levels. A loss to Cork and hurling.

"I am quite close to Seanie and when I approached him about staying on he said no immediately. I respect that it didn't fit into what he was planning next year. The amount of time required is huge and if you can't do that there is no point in being there. I would have liked to have Seanie on board but I respect Seanie's decision."

Another selector will be nominated by the winners of Sunday's county final between Cloyne and Na Piarsaigh. Allen will welcome whoever is nominated: "The last two years the two people have been very good, hard working people. I would hope it will be the same this year."

Despite McMahon's departure, he will not alter any personnel. Physical trainers Seanie McGrath and Jerry Wallace will be called into action soon enough. And why would he change? The working relationships are strong in Cork since the infamous lockout of 2002.

"It's like the iceberg analogy. On match days you only see the tip of the iceberg. The work that's done off the field and the people who have been doing that work is what matters, having those with me is hugely important."

That strike of two years back presents Cork hurling to Allen as a nicely packaged gift. Medical cover, gear and physical trainers are all in place.

"That was the watershed for turning things into the professional set-up that we now have. Donal was the man to grasp this. Everything worked out great and the system is now in place. I've been part of that system and have been charged with carrying that mantle. Whether it is going to be a big albatross or not remains to be seen. Going in with my eyes wide open," he adds.

It looks like all of the players are returning, while a couple more, like Aisake Ó hAilpín, may be promoted.

"Most of the team are fairly young. A lot of them won back-to-back under-21 All-Irelands in '97-'98 and you know a lot of those are at the prime of their playing career."

For now, he can sleep easy. Focus on the day job before a team holiday to New Zealand in early January; they'll bring their hurleys but no serous stuff. "Fellas missed their hurleys who didn't bring them last year," he says.

As the days begin to get longer and the school work begins to wind up, the greatest challenge of his sporting life will be waiting. Poisoned chalice or pot of gold. Plenty of time to plan.