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Focusing on light at end of the tunnel

All-Ireland Cup final: Gavin Cummiskey talks to Cork Constitution captain Frank Cogan who reflects on how the team are dealing…

Tue Apr 04 2006 - 01:00

All-Ireland Cup final: Gavin Cummiskey talks to Cork Constitution captain Frank Cogan who reflects on how the team are dealing with the loss of a friend and team-mate

This has been a tremendously difficult couple of weeks for Cork Constitution and anyone in Irish rugby who had the pleasure to ever meet Conrad O'Sullivan.

The level of respect for O'Sullivan was evident from the expressions of the Munster squad as they lined up for the minute's silence at Lansdowne Road last Saturday to honour the recently-deceased 25-year-old Cork man.

This Saturday, O'Sullivan's team-mates must take the field for the first time since his death in the inaugural final of the AIB Cup against St Mary's College at Lansdowne Road.

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The Cork Constitution captain and number eight is Frank Cogan. Yesterday, he took time out from studies for an auctioneering degree at the Cork College of Commerce to promote Saturday's final.

Cogan spoke eloquently about the recent loss at Temple Hill. "We are kind of getting back to normal after our friend passed away. It was good to get back up training - get a run-out - and focus on Saturday now."

An indescribable few weeks?

"It has been. The emotions have been all over the place, really. It's been a rough old ride. We are looking forward to Saturday. It was a shock but we want to get on with it.

"A lot of the Munster lads would have known Conrad pretty well. The same as all of us. We considered him one of our best friends. We have played with him for years. It is an emotional time. We just have to look forward, remember our friend and get on with it."

The St Mary's vice-captain, Barry Lynn, also played alongside O'Sullivan at Ireland under-21 level. They toured Australia together: "I would have known him very well. It's such a shock."

The game in general seems to have lost its lustre in the face of such a tragedy but rugby is what these guys do.

Most players are aspiring professionals like Cogan or, in the case of Lynn, have recently entered the workforce, yet still have plenty to offer the game at amateur level.

This is Cogan's final year in the Munster Academy and while Stephen Keogh's departure to Leinster opens a backrow slot in the senior set-up, there are plenty waiting in line. "There are a lot of lads there. A lot of competition. We'll see."

Constitution coaches Brian Walsh and Terry Kingston have enjoyed the fruits of a ripening youth policy this season. They have blown several teams out of the water, losing only to Shannon, Clontarf and Garryowen. "We play rugby we enjoy. Everyone is learning and improving as a player out there.

"Cork Constitution won the first AIB league so there is a great tradition in the club and a great onus on us to win it. We are really looking towards that and emulating that team (of 1991)."

Then, in typical Munster fashion, Cogan pays the opposition their dues. "There is a lot of talent in the St Mary's team. We're under no illusions that because we are higher up in the league we are going to beat them. Sure they beat Garryowen in the semi-final. We will give them the respect they are owed."