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SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2017 2 6 IS FEARR AN STAR FREE (inc vat) 9 771649 438769 Saturday July 1 2017 55p NEW ChicCMOVIES SPIDER-MAN STAR ZENDAYA CRAWLS ONTO THE A-LIST! FASHION HIGH OR LOW? SUMMER Jim answers SKIRTS UNCOVERED INTERVIEW ROB KEARNEY’S great call BEST SECRETS Miriam O’Callaghan: MY MONEY of China PAGES 74&75 GOES ON THE KIDS!

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STARTS PAGE 27

OF MYWEXFORD hurling hero Martin Storey has opened up about fighting back from the injury that ended his nursing career — while dealing with his children’s health issues. And the 1996 All -winning captain told how hurling helped his son and daughter LEGEND: in their struggles with Martin; (right) 16-PAGE cancer and MS. lifting Liam SEE PAGES 78&79 McCarthy cup DERBY LIFE after 1996 win PULLOUT ■ Wexford ace ■ Son’s mouth ■ Daughter in STARTS PAGE 33 unable to work cancer battle fight with MS REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE

Karl Karl Karl Karl O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Karl Karl Karl Karl THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Saturday July 1 2017O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE 78 COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ‘GAA DON’T DO ■ GAA WEXFORD LEGEND’S CHILDREN

DEAL: ENOUGH FOR KarlFormer O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Wexford COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] captain [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MENTAL HEALTH’ Martin Storey with his daughter MARTIN Storey pulls up I Karl O’KANE and current his Wexford polo shirt to Wexford show you where player they put the rods MARTIN Storey had challenged the GAA to do Ciara Storey at more on mental health issues. in his lower back. “If there’s one thing the GAA fails on, it’s the announce- KarlThen O'KANE he pulls down mental health issues,” he says. ment of Pat The the front of the top. EXCLUSIVE “Everyone has this perception of a big, Baker’s five- [email protected] rods plates and physical, strong man, and you will do all that, year deal with screws, this time down but when everybody goes home… the WGPA his neck and chest. “I am a psychiatric nurse, working in that The 52-year-old former field. I’d know a good few players I work with psychiatric nurse hasn’t that have mental health issues. worked for four years now, “I’d love to see the GPA set up an aftercare since the day one of his patients thing, and I’d love to get involved in it to see it fell on top of him. happen. He heard the snap, and his life “I mean, I could name six, eight ex-players changedTHIRD forever. MAN TACKLE Karl O'KANE who would have mental health issues and (in The 1996 Wexford All-Irelandwith the) club I could name maybe 20, and there’s winning legend [email protected] you his story, actually nothing out there for them.” but there isn’t an ounce of self- All-Ireland winning captain in 1996, pity. His own accident was only Storey feels fortunate that he was able to the start of it. move on once the curtain came down Life has thrown a hell of a lot at on his inter county career. himself, wife Rosaleen and their He continues: “I had no problem kids, but the way he sees it, adapting after giving up. None. every family has their crosses Sure, I played club senior until I to bear. was 46 and played junior until Health last year. I was 52. Daughter, Ciara, the “It was just that you love it, but Wexford camogie star I got as much kick out of junior was diagnosed with as I did out of senior because to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) me it was about hurling. in October 2015. “It was about what you can The 27-year-old is sitting in give, what you can coach. the same room as Martin in “Lads talk to you about the the Herbert Court in biggest game of your life. I Ballsbridge, a picture of hurled with both my sons, inter- health, operating at the mediate with my eldest, junior highest level in her chosen with my youngest. To me that was sport. as big as any day I was in Croke Son, Martin Óg, has battled his Park. way back from mouth cancer and “Now, you couldn’t put it on a win- forced his way onto the Oulart- ning similarity, but on an achievement the-Ballagh senior side. similarity, sure it was the biggest thrill I “Every family gets their ups got. and downs” says Storey. “Going out in a junior county final with my But, when it’s your kids? 16 year old son hurling beside me. I know we “That’s tough, but the two of got bet and all, but them are the memories them were so strong that it’s bril- you have. liant,” he says. “That’s what hurling does. People don’t real- “Ciara’s back doing everything. ise the good that hurling does.” She changed her lifestyle a little He got “pure enjoyment” out of the last bit and horsed back into it. three seasons with the juniors. “It’s due to her character and Enjoy her strength, that she won’t give Storey says: “It was the only hurling I really into it. enjoyed because the rest of it was win at all “Rest would be the big thing. costs. She’d try and catch a nap every “You can’t enjoy hurling. People tell you day if she could, 20 minutes, they enjoy hurling, they are telling lies. It’s half an hour. dog eat dog. That’s it.” “She would have improved He continues: “I remember after getting her food and cut out most of her beaten in the Leinster semi-final in ’98. alcohol, except when they win Johnny Dooley scored a goal in injury time something. and we were two points up. “She’d try to mind herself a bit “I’ll never forget it. I remember the next better and she’s hurling out of morning I didn’t want to get out of the bed her skin. Them are the highs that and the lads got up for school. Rosaleen just you get.” said to me, ‘It’s half eight, you Low might as well get up’. The lows have been pretty low “I said, ‘No, I’m going to too. He recounts the conversation cover up my head here now he had with son, Martin Óg, as and pretend it’s Sunday morn- NEVER they went to see a cancer ing and we can hurl that specialist. match again’. “She said, ‘No, When you hear the word, ‘can- you can never do that’. cer’, it’s horrible, your gut “I remember lying in the bed wrenches,” says Storey. “Your thinking, ‘Jesus this is the gut twists. worst day of my life’, and I “The one thing I wanted to do could hear the lads was make sure that it was no big downstairs laugh- deal. ing and skitting, “I went with him when we the kids before were going in. I just picked they went to him up out of college, met him school. and said, ‘Look it, we could “Sure, you be getting bad news in here’. jump up and go ENDING “He said, ‘What do you down and that’s mean?’ I said, ‘I think this is it. cancer’. “You get over it “He just looked at me, and you plough threw the eyes and said, ‘Ah on and you go f**k sake daddy’, or back training with something. the club on “I just said, ‘Have yourself Thursday night prepared because when they and all of a sud- do a biopsy and you get word den the biggest back within a week it’s usu- thing in your life ally not good news, so just is winning a county have it in your head’. title. “He went to the jacks, came “That’s what hurl- back. We went into the sur- ing does for you. STOREY geon and he was using all “That’s what sport fancy words. I said it to him, does for you. It just ‘Spit it out straight, tell the GOAL: Offaly’s keeps you going.” Miracle Martin has been through hell chap that he has cancer’. Johnny Dooley THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Saturday July 1 2017 79 IN FIGHTING FORM DESPITE THEIR ILLNESSES

CHIP OFF THE LEINSTER SHC OLD BLOCK: ‘We will The victorious Oulart-The- beat this, Ballagh corner- back Ciara Storey with her FINAL that’s it. dad, former Wexford All Wexford Star Martin, v We have to after the 2015 All-Ireland Croke Park, Senior Club attack it Camogie final tomorrow, 4pm LIVE RTE BACK IN THE FOLD: Donaghy in action for Kerry head on’ Kingdom recall ace Donaghy KERRY have recalled I for John O’DOWD tomorrow’s Munster SFC Final against Cork at been named at wing-for- Fitzgerald Stadium, ward to the exclusion of Killarney (2pm). Jason Flynn. The Austin Stacks man, Inspirational midfielder who came on in the clos- Michael Fennelly returns ing stages of the victory to the Kilkenny team for over Clare three weeks this evening’s All-Ireland ago, has been picked at SHC Qualifier against BACKING: The WGPA has joined force with Pat The Baker. The five-year deal full-forward. Limerick at Nowlan Park is the first of its kind for women in sport in Ireland and the revenue-share It is one of two tonight (7pm). arrangement will see a percentage of all sales go towards the WGPA Player changes made by man- Replay Development Programme. Players in every county squad are now supported ager Eamonn Fennelly ruptured his off the pitch through WGPA services, including careers advice, scholarships, Fitzmaurice. Achilles tendon in last personal coaching, counselling and skills workshops, each of which helps Donaghy comes in year’s All-Ireland semi- players reach their potential in their professional and personal lives for Barry John final replay victory over Keane with David Waterford and hasn’t Moran resuming his played for the Cats since. usual midfield posi- Joey Holden, Joe Lyng tion after injury in and Chris Bolger also place of Jack Barry. start for ’s Experienced team. defender Killian KERRY (SFC v Cork): B Kelly; F Young is back Fitzgerald, M Griffin, S Enright; P Crowley, T Morley, P Murphy; D among the substi- Moran, A Maher; M Geaney, K tutes with Brian Kelly McCarthy, D Walsh; P Geaney, K retaining his place Donaghy, J O’Donoghue. between the sticks GALWAY (SHC v Wexford): C Callanan; A Tuohy, Daithi Burke, J ahead of Brendan Hanbury; P Mannion, G McIner- Kealy. ney, A Harte; J Coen, David Burke; Jack Savage misses N Burke, J Canning, J Cooney; C Whelan, C Cooney, C Mannion. out due to an appendix DUBLIN (SHC v Laois): C Dooley; operation. C O’Callaghan, E O’Donnell, F O Meanwhile, Galway Riain; S Moran, C Crummey, S have made one change Barrett; B Quinn, N McMorrow; D Burke, L Rushe, E Dillon; C from the side that ham- O’Sullivan, R O’Dwyer, D Treacy. mered Offaly for tomor- KILKENNY (SHC v Limerick): E row’s Leinster SHC Final Murphy; P Murphy, P Walsh, J Holden; C Fogarty, C Buckley, J with Wexford at Croke Lyng; M Fennelly, P Deegan; C Park (4pm). Bolger, W Walsh, TJ Reid; R has Hogan, C Fennelly, G Aylward. 12 PAGE SPORTS BRAY’S FUTURE LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: Martin Óg Storey of Oulart PULLOUT PUT IN DOUBT the Balagh breaks through St Martin’s defence in the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship final in 2015 STARTS PAGE 27 THE FUTURE of Bray Wanderers was thrown I Mark McCADDEN into doubt last night resources.” thanks to an unusually “So, that was it. Told him, got a on. His voice is a little bit hard to “Only he got the tooth broken den no work at all. It went on to say that frank press release that they expected the good shock. We went for a pint. understand, but he’s going to get hurling, maybe… it’s amazing.” “I found it difficult that you was issued at half-time “I just said to him, ‘Look it, we corrective surgery for that.” Martin, himself, found it tough weren’t getting up in the morning form under Kenny to lead during their game against to a growth in attendanc- will beat this, that’s it. We have Storey has nothing but praise going when he was told he with a purpose. Dundalk. to attack it head on — we got at it for the GAA and particularly couldn’t continue in work back in “I used to be up every morning es and gate receipts. head on’. Ciara and Martin Óg’s friends in June 2013. at seven o’clock. Chairman Denis “Harry has more than “I remember getting money that Oulart. “I was bringing a patient to the “People in this country give out O’Connor admitted that delivered but the support night. He was in college in He continues: “The camarade- toilet,” he recalls. “I am a psychi- so much about the GAA and I’d the low support base has just not materialised,” Dublin. I said, ‘Go out to the rie, they just pulled Ogie straight atric nurse. He was a big man. say only for it… you get into it, meant it was “not viable” it continued. house to your friends and go on through, the same with Ciara. He “He must have been 18 or 20 you coach, you train, you watch, Bray sold just 59 adult the beer and I’ll give you a ring got no pity, no wallowing. stone weight, and he just grabbed you just go to the matches, you and 51 concession season tomorrow’. “Like, I mean, they slagged me and pulled me down and eve- just do it. tickets for this year. “He went out with three of his him. He couldn’t speak properly rything snapped. best friends. He got up the next for months. The boys just imitat- “Everything went, so that fin- Asking Receipt morning and rang and I said, ed him. ished my nursing career. They “The support of lads you played Their biggest gate ‘How are you?’ and he said, ‘Ah, “But, he just got over it. People just said you couldn’t operate at with and in your club, everyone receipt came against sure grand, sure we’ll have to get wouldn’t realise but myself and the full capacity. I would have would be asking you in with Shamrock Rovers (1,298 on with it’. Rosaleen would, the value of lost strength in the left arm.” them, to do something with them paying supporters), while “And that was the way we Ogie’s friends in the hurling, and He points to his legs. to help them out. their lowest was against looked at it until it was over. Ciara’s friends in the hurling. “Look at the difference in the “It was easier to coach teams Galway United (255). “It was three months before he Broke two legs,” he continues. “Look at because I had more time, but I “Apart from the poor had the surgery. Then you are the muscle in that one and none in still miss work like. gate receipts the Club is talking rehab. “Only he (Martin Óg) got his that one — it is gone. “You are grand when you mooch tooth broke playing hurling, he around. I had cramps in my back FORM: Harry Kenny not supported to any large “I let him back training within “My neck (surgery) was done in extent by local advertis- six, eight weeks, get straight got a smack on the jaw. The den- the September and the back in coming up in the car, just sitting. tist filled it and the filling fell I am not restricted. ing and sponsorship. back into it, because he was on December, so I am out of work to continue running the “It is just not viable to and off the senior team with the out. this four and a half years. “I can do anything I could do “He just happened to say, ‘Jesus before, but not for long periods. club “at the level expect- continue to run a club at club and the club was going fairly “I had worked since I was 17 ed by the fans.” well, but that was the goal, to get there was a lump there, I didn’t and all of a sudden you were 48 “If you were cutting hedge after the level expected by fans like the look of it, I took an x-ray a while, you’d just have to stop, The statement read: “At without the proper back on. years of age and you had worked the start of this season “He’s back in again, ploughing and sent it off’. all of your life, and all of a sud- your back would go into spasm.” support.” the club decided to back The statement was Harry (Kenny) with more signed by O’Connor. 32 THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Saturday July 8 2017

IF his father hadn’t sold that property to an Ear, CIAN’S Nose and Throat specialist... If the specialist didn’t call in for a chat every time he passed by the MINOR Smith family home in Boyle... If he hadn’t gone in the back door that evening, and slipped past the kitchen, as he normally would... GLORY Cian Smith wonders what might have happened? I Karl O’KANE He’s 29 now, and well out of remission, an All-Ireland minor Kids look and ask, what’s wrong winner with Roscommon (2006), CIAN Smith was part of one of enjoying a burgeoning career in the most famous minor teams coaching. in history — the great under- His younger brothers Donal and dogs that were the Roscommon Enda will play in tomorrow’s 2006 All-Ireland winning side. Connacht final for the Rossies. He reckons they achieved Sitting in the lobby of the Carlton such notoriety because they Hotel in Tyrrellstown, he’s rhyming “came out of nowhere.” off players from minor teams going At under-16 level, Galway and back years. ‘Border-line obsessed’ Mayo are split in two, and the is how he labels it. Rossies were hammered by But at one point it was touch and “half teams.” go for Cian. And it wasn’t going much bet- His parents were warned he may ter by the time they arrived on not come through surgery for the minor stage, two years throat cancer in late 2007. later. with your He made it, but lost half his voice “I’ll never forget it, lashing box in the process. rain, a Saturday morning going Three years ago he had a trache- to Killeavy to play Armagh,” ostomy tube fitted. This helps him says Smith. breathe and speak, and has “It was 2-16 to a point. I was improved his quality of life no end. full forward, just standing When his mates are chiding him, there. It was a different level. they might pretend to go at it with We went to Laois. We were a pair of scissors. He pulls out the hammered. plug, starts talking and you can’t “We beat Tipp by a point or hear a damn thing. “So, if you’re two, but Munster minor hurling fed up listening to me... was on that night and we didn’t It’s a bit of a laugh, but there is a cop it at the time. serious side. Title He has to change the tube every four hours and is back in hospital That was the day they every six weeks to have scar tissue shocked Galway, before beat- on his windpipe burned off. ing Mayo to win a first This prevents his windpipe clos- Connacht minor title since ing over. Because he lost half his 1992. Tipp and Meath were dis- vocal chords in the operation, his posed of and after an All- voice is at a lower pitch than it Ireland final draw with Kerry used to be. they headed to Ennis for a replay six days later. Career This was a Kerry side contain- It still “kills” him that he can’t ing , David play football, but he’s carved out a Moran, Tommy Walsh and the successful career in Permanent ON TRACK: Cian best footballer Smith says he’s TSB and got married to long term Star ever seen, Paddy Curran. Smith with man girlfriend Michelle last October. Karl O’Kane Smith says: “We walked out “Good as it (the tracheostomy onto the pitch and already there tube) is and I love it because of was 2,000 people there. what it’s given me, I’d love to get “We won by four points, com- rid of it. fortable enough. We had a load “My quality of life I’d say has of wides. improved by 70 per cent. I’m “I came on in every game sleeping better, breathing except the replay. I was coming better. on when the ref blew the final “Even looking back at pictures, whistle so I was first man on, I was really gaunt and yellow in like John Terry, stripped, the the face because I wasn’t getting full kit. the air in. “Donie Shine was just out of “I am very conscious of the this world. Even though he was look of it even though loads of minor the following year he was people say they don’t notice it. our main man,” he adds “On a sideline I do wear one of “Niall Carty, who would go on the zip ups. REPORTS COMMENTto captain Roscommon to two “Kids look and ask, and they EXCLUSIVE leagues, was only coming off want to talk. They say, ‘what’s the bench.” wrong with your voice?’ “I don’t mind. It’s the random people. I could hop into a taxi MAIN MAN: and he’d say, ‘what’s wrong with Cian Smith your voice? ‘ And he’d start look- remembers ing. He’d nearly stop the taxi. Donie “It’s different if you are in com- Shine as a pany. Ideally, I don’t want it, but key player I know I need it.” up my best friends and said, ‘well, Karl Karl Karl in their He remembers that evening as if Karl how are you, I have cancer’. it was yesterday, every little detail “I played an Under-21 minor title Championship game, one of my win of it. EX-ROSCOMMON ACE CIAN’S O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE So, he’s just been dropped off O'KANE best ever games on a Monday and COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT from Boyle training. EXCLUSIVE on Tuesday I was diagnosed with “To this day I don’t know why I cancer. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] went around the back of the house [email protected] REMARKABLE BATTLE BACK “I’d always have had a deeper, and in the back door, which led to husky voice but nothing major. “They put a tube this length (he “I don’t think I missed a day in the kitchen,” he says. indicates three feet), real narrow, there, and I was thinking she The doc had told my dad. My “The ENT specialist was there school. Never sick. Fit as a up the nose, down the throat, cam- shouldn’t be here. Maybe she’s up mother had rushed up from Boyle. fiddle.” with my father. He said, you are eras on end of it. The saw redness. to shop. They’d told Michelle, my girl- very hoarse. I said, ‘I’m like that In October 2007 half his voice They did a biopsy.” “They said, “it’s an infection of friend, and the brothers and said box was removed (a for a while. No problem.’ He was referred to a specialist in your cells in the throat.” don’t contact me until 8pm. They “He said, ‘I’ll bring you for a hemilaryngectomy). Eccles Street, then onto St “Okay.” all knew. “My parents were told it’s a big check-up.’ I made my excuses, had Vincent’s through A&E. “No, no, you have throat a shower, came back down and operation, he mightn’t come out of “I had the bag packed to go home cancer.” Friends the operation,” says Cian. “No-one said to dad, ‘I’m going for no that night, “he recalls. “I had gone “Jesus.” “It was the best way to do it. I check-up.’ told me. up with dad, but my mum was “I was the last person to know. don’t know how I could have rung “They said, ‘forget about having Karl Karl Karl Karl O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE COMMENT REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Karl O'KANE EXCLUSIVEEXCLUSIVE [email protected]

THIRD MAN TACKLE with Karl O'KANE [email protected] THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Saturday July 8 2017 49 Kids look and ask, what’s wrong ‘I’d be nearly GAA obsessed’ YOU’RE probably I Karl O’KANE straining to look at the device on Cian Smith’s throat. deeper. voice? And, if you haven’t, “Everyone automati- well you may as well cally thinks, how can now. Everyone else you shout?’ It sounds does. worse than it feels. It’s a tracheostomy People are always say- tube the All-Ireland ing to me, ‘is your winning Roscommon throat sore?’ No. minor had fitted at the “I’d be very conscious end of 2014. of it at the start. It was grand in Boyle “The Boyle lads knew where the lads knew all me. With Roscommon about it, and what he’d under-21s, I wasn’t the gone through after one mic’d up. There being diagnosed with would be no point. neck cancer back in “First few weeks with 2007, and having half DIT I was very con- his voice box removed scious of it, first of all that autumn. because it was the But, going outside the highest profile team I safety of the club, when had ever coached. you have a visible Profile device fitted to your neck, which helps you “Rightly or wrongly I breathe and talk, is a was associated as different matter. Enda and Donal’s Smith has had to (Roscommon players) press on, and is carv- brother. I wouldn’t have ing out a fine coaching been as high profile as CV for himself. them, or done anything He adapts and the myself.” players adapt to the He adds: “Everyone fact he’s a little harder said, ‘you are going to to hear than other struggle,’ when I start- people. ed coaching. I’d make “The first few ses- no bones about it. sions are tough for me “I’d be nearly GAA and the players obsessed — if there because it’s a thing was a Junior B match they’ve ever experi- over there (he points enced,” says Smith, out the window) I’d go who coached DIT’s for a look. team this “I am always reading. year. I’d be obsessed when I “It’s worse on the played. So, if training phone — a disaster. was at 8, I’d be there at “If I’m explaining a 7. drill lads come in a little “I’d be overboard, and TALENTED bit closer, or they are the lads were always FAMILY: Donie just quieter. I can shout giving out to me. Smith in action in and roar as normal, just Relax.” the FBD League STRONG CHARACTER: this year and Smith and (left) with (inset) Enda Smith EXPERIENCE: brothers Donie (right) Roscommon and Enda manager Cian Smith says he had to adapt to up my best friends and said, ‘well, the family for Christmas, he’ll be “Being stubborn, I admit it, I’d fastest or strongest, but I was able “He was standing in front of me. coaching with a how are you, I have cancer’. in hospital.’ challenge everything the doctor to….so frustrating. It was a killer I pushed him and he grabbed me “I played an Under-21 “I walked out on December 1. I said. Ever since I’ve had no big really. and pinched me. Completely out of tracheostomy Championship game, one of my was very fit at the time, carrying problems.” “Ever since I had the cancer the character, I kicked him. Pure daft. device after his best ever games on a Monday and no weight, so I broke all the way I looked at it, there’s always Another lad ran in and I went cancer battle on Tuesday I was diagnosed with barriers.” Play somebody worse off. ‘bang.’ cancer. He started radiotherapy before The clock was ticking on his “It’s morbid to think about it, but “I’d always have had a deeper, Christmas and finished it on football career, so he went in goal. I’m lucky to be able to walk, never Finished husky voice but nothing major. February 1, 2008. The fact he was a dead-eye free mind perform at a high level.” “I just turned around, took off “I don’t think I missed a day in He was told he wouldn’t play taker helped with the kick-outs. His last competitive game was the gloves and walked off. I didn’t school. Never sick. Fit as a football at least 18 months. “I even think back to how I was one to remember, a play off to get wait on the referee. I just knew. fiddle.” “Of course, being the way I am, I able to play football,” he says. into a Championship quarter- “I knew then that I was finished. In October 2007 half his voice ended going back training, came “I’d make a run and the guy final. The first time in his life he It killed me but I am at ease now. box was removed (a on in county intermediate final the beside me would say, ‘are you was ever sent off. “I would be slagging the lads, ‘I hemilaryngectomy). last Sunday of October ’08, and alright?’ or ‘you need an inhaler.’ “Madness,” he laughs. “One of haven’t played in a year and I could “My parents were told it’s a big scored a goal to draw the game. “I take my football probably too their men came through to punch still bang a free over better than operation, he mightn’t come out of “We were beaten in the replay a seriously, I’d be so hard on myself. a point, so I got the kicking tee out, you.’ the operation,” says Cian. “No-one week later, so exactly to a year “My football ability never dimin- put the ball down to take a quick “Everyone knew I would go into told me. from the surgery, I was back play- ished and you probably got better kick out and the full-forward coaching and management. This “They said, ‘forget about having ing football. as you got smarter. I was never the stopped me. has just made me do it quicker.” 48 THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Tuesday August 22 2017 ■ GAA MAYO BOSS’S DECISION TO PUT

LAST Saturday we speculated NIP AND TUCK: Johnny Buckley on what rabbit Stephen scores a goal for Kerry, (below) Rochford would pull from his Eamonn Fitzmaurice and (bottom) hat to shackle the might of Dublin’s Phily McMahon getting Kerry. the better of Kieran Donaghy Well, he pulled a damn big one in the shape of Aidan O’Shea at full-back, a move no-one — apart from — saw coming and he was widely ridi- culed for throwing it out there. The backlash against Rochford has been severe, ill-conceived, reactionary and totally out of order. The world and its mother have leapt on RECRUIT: Christian Lealiifano playing for the his back in a form of mob mentality. Wallabies and (below) Ulster’s Paddy Jackson Predictably Rochford’s decision to drop goalkeeper David Clarke for last year’s All-Ireland final replay has been dragged up and thrown back in his face. Ulster announce Management appear to have been held directly responsible for Rob Hennelly’s unfortunate mistake, dropping a routine chest catch, which led to a Dublin penalty Lealiifano coup goal and a black card for the player himself. ULSTER have made a I Derek FOLEY But this is missing the point. notable dip into the Rochford isn’t pulling these rabbits from transfer market to snag the hat to be a smart arse, and he’s not try- the remarkable Christian Ulster’s director of ing to be too clever. He’s doing it because Lealiifano on a five- rugby Les Kiss had been he has do. month deal to the end of looking for a stand-in for Eamonn Fitzmaurice doesn’t have to be January. stand-off Paddy Jackson, so creative because he is the one with The minor details are who has been stood that the Auckland-born down while he deals with Kieran Donaghy in particular, Paul 29-year-old out-half is personal issues. Geaney and James O’Donoghue, three signed for Brumbles for “This is a massive outrageously-talented forwards who have 2017 and has 19 Wallaby boost for us as we to be marked. caps. approach the start of the Kerry are the ones who can afford to But what is far more season,” said Kiss. “It engage in a shoot-out, as they did last newsworthy has been was paramount that we Sunday, employing no sweeper, and going Lealiifano’s diagnosis signed an experienced even more offensive with the introduction with leukemia, and sub- player to give us another of Jack Savage after 23 minutes. sequent return to play, in option at fly-half and this August 2016. is a fantastic solution for Threw The player had his first us. Rochford had one cut to get it right, bone marrow transplant “Christian has the play- where Dessie Dolan on the Sunday Game that November, spending ing talent, the leadership could afford to go a bit scattergun on it. 100 days in hospital and ability and the personali- Analysing the game he first suggested undergoing chemo, ty to make a big impact Seamus O’Shea for full-back to mark before doctors here. Donaghy, and then later threw in the announced a stunning “He has overcome sig- name of . remission in nificant challenges in Ciaran Whelan quickly dismissed the February. his career and that Moran plan, pointing out that he has Lealiifano is testament to played “no football” this year. made a return his bravery and It’s also worth pointing out that the one REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE to competitive strong time Seamus O’Shea found himself on top flight character. Donaghy under a high delivery, the Kerry rugby playing “He’s a proven star broke the ball for David Moran’s shot for the leader and we’re at goal, with Johnny Buckley netting the Brumbies excited by the rebound. against the influence that he’ll We repeat, Rochford has one chance to Queensland Reds have on our young fly- get this right and with the wrecking ball last June — 10 months halves, Peter Nelson, Karl history Donaghy has, one wrong move and Karl Karl Karl after being first Brett Herron, Johnny it could have been curtains for Mayo. diagnosed. McPhillips and Callum O'KANEHad the goals started flying in the first O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE Select Smith. COMMENThalf, as they did in the 2006 All-Ireland REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE “We also have two Brumbies coach Dan exciting players in [email protected] final and the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] McKellar made the deci- academy, Michael Lowry replay at the Gaelic Grounds, it was cur- sion to select Lealiifano and Angus Curtis, who tains for Mayo and their boss. having watched him play will also have a fantastic That’s primarily why O’Shea was there, 30 minutes of an Asia- opportunity to learn from to deal with an aerial bombardment, one Pacifc Dragons exhibi- Christian. which never came. Mayo would have tion games two weeks “I know that Christian is taken that before the game. previously in Singapore. very excited by the chal- The other argument is that Mayo missed In attempting to get lenge and is looking for- one of their most potent attacking threats ALL-IRELAND SFC himself ready for the ward to joining up with by moving their double All Star from cen- Brumbies 2017 Super us soon.” tre half-forward/midfield to full-back. Rugby season, Lealiifano Ulster operations direc- KarlBut does this really stack up? Karl Karl Karl will put in a five-month tor Bryn Cunningham Yes, O’Shea has been playing well, but shift — to the end of the admitted the club had O'KANEit’s been against teams he can drive at and O'KANE O'KANE O'KANE European pool stages — identified Lealiifano as a win frees.COMMENT SF (Replay)REPORTS COMMENT EXCLUSIVE with the northerners. potential target some [email protected] the Kerrys and Dublins in the [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Previously the player weeks back. big games at Croke Park O’Shea has never Kerry v Mayo was a nine-season Super Target been able to do the demolition jobs he’d Croke Park, Rugby (2009-16) regular, inflicted on the likes of Galway (2015), starting 112 games and “The recruitment mar- Sligo (2015) and Donegal (2013/15). appearing as a sub ket is constantly shifting, Saturday, 3pm another five times. with players’ availability And he generally hasn’t operated at full- He earned his first changing very quickly. forward for Mayo this year. LIVE RTE international cap in the “Christian quickly Robbing 2013 Test series against emerged as our number Was Rochford really robbing Peter to the British and Irish one target and we’re pay Paul? By removing O’Shea from their man like Donaghy or to link play? Lions — lasting one min- delighted to have attack, Mayo created the space in which Donaghy — marked by Philly McMahon — ute after being knocked secured his services for Andy Moran and ran riot had a hand in five first-half scores in last year’s out tackling Jonathan the next five months. Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Karl O'KANE Davies — and made his “Due to the complexity on a badly exposed KerryCOMMENT full-back line All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Dublin, but COMMENT EXCLUSIVE (the Kerry full-back line got very little REPORTS there was barely a word about it. last Wallaby appearance of this arrangement, dis- [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] against England in 2016. cussions were ongoing cover with the honourable exception of That’s just what he does. Stephen O’Brien). On the Mayo side last Sunday, Moran shot 1-5 “I’d like to thank the for some time and there point, but this is a little misleading as one of the Okay, O’Shea is not a natural defender. He’s and had a hand in another 1-2. In such a wide Brumbies for allowing was a significant amount points, a second half chance, was rarely played there, but Donaghy is an unnatu- open shoot-out, full-backs are going to be me to do this stint of paperwork involved, a ballooned effort from the Austin Stacks man. ral player, and one of the cleverest forwards to exposed. abroad,” said Lealiifano so we’re pleased to be in Also, the first goal would never have hap- ever play the game. The big Breaffy man had yesterday. a position to confirm that pened but for Seamus O’Shea being caught nap- one high ball to deal with and won it. Regular “I’m really excited to be a deal has been ping by O’Brien, who continued a great support However, O’Shea was repeatedly caught too Mark Griffin is a regular number three, but joining up with Ulster completed. run to fire low to the net. far off his man, either done by Donaghy’s move- despite some heroic last-ditch defending and a and I’m looking forward “Everyone at Ulster Was it O’Shea’s fault, and by proxy, Rochford’s, ment, pace or in one case, a sweet turn. The suc- couple of clean tackles, he was given a torrid to getting out there in Rugby is really looking that O’Brien wasn’t tracked for the goal, or his front of the supporters at forward to Christian’s cess of the move depends on your expectations time by Jason Doherty and whipped off at older brother lost the ball in the first place? It Kingspan Stadium. I arrival and I’ve no doubt going out. O’Shea wasn’t there to win low ball half-time. seems so for many. And yet people expect Aidan O’Shea to domi- Karl can’t wait to experience that he’ll receive a warm out in front. O'KANE Besides, isn’t it the primary role of a target the rugby and the culture welcome from our Donaghy had a hand in 2-4, and also scored a nate a man-mountain like Donaghy in a wide EXCLUSIVE in Belfast.” supporters.” EXCLUSIVE [email protected]

THIRD MAN TACKLE with Karl O'KANE [email protected] THE IRISH DAILY STAR, Tuesday August 22 2017 49 O’SHEA ON DONAGHY WAS MADE OUT OF NECESSITY ‘Rochford had one cut to get it right’

CROWD: Dubs boss Gavin BETWEEN Tickets reduced for huge replay A ROCH I Karl O’KANE GAA chiefs have cut ticket prices for next Saturday’s Mayo/Kerry All-Ireland semi-final replay at Croke Park. Stand tickets have been slashed from €45 to €35, and terrace tick- ets have been reduced by €5 to €25. A huge attendance of 66,175 turned up for last AND A weekend’s thrilling draw at Croke Park. It is anticipated the replay attendance will break the 50,000 mark, although the fact the game is at 3pm on a Saturday is set to hit the crowd on a bumper weekend for football. Sunday’s Tyrone/ Dublin All-Ireland semi- final is expected to be HARD an 82,000 sellout. Bumper Gate receipts in the region of €1.5 million are anticipated for Saturday, and this figure will break the through the €4m mark for the weekend when Sunday’s semi is taken into account. Last Sunday’s bumper attendance was one of the highest ever for a PLACE semi-final not involving POWER STRUGGLE: Dublin, and continues a Backlash against Stephen Kerry’s Kieran trend for the summer. Donaghy and (right) The GAA don’t have Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea official records of during Sunday’s attendances, but it is drawn semi-final believed to be the high- is totally out of order est of the qualifier era, going back to 2001, where Dublin weren’t AIDAN O’SHEA I Karl O’KANE 37 MINS: sup- Donaghy breaks it above 53 MINS: Aidan O’Shea is 10 involved, although there TIMELINE OF A ROOKIE plies the pass inside and Seamus O’Shea to David Moran. yards behind Donaghy as he is was no figure available FULL-BACK feeds Donaghy who is 15 metres Donaghy skips away from He dummies Higgins, and out in front to combine with for the Armagh/Tyrone HERE Star Sport gives an out in front of Aidan O’Shea. He O’Shea’s tackle before finding shoots for goal. David Clarke Jack Barry. Barry bounces off semi-final in 2005. incident timeline of the Kieran goes at O’Shea and feeds Paul Geaney, who fires over the saves, but Johnny Buckley Seamus O’Shea and turns Some 53,212 attended Donaghy/Aidan O’Shea battle in O’Brien for Kerry’s first goal. bar. slams the rebound to the Higgins but Clarke stays big Mayo’s All-Ireland semi- last Sunday’s All-Ireland semi net. and saves his shot. final clash with final draw at Croke Park that 29 MINS: Donaghy scores a fine 46 MINS: Aidan O’Shea moves Tipperary 12 months saw Mayo boss Stephen point after getting out in front of wide under the Cusack Stand to 52 MINS: Donaghy is the target 69 MINS: Donaghy loses his ago, almost 13,000 less Rochford’s tactics criticisd. O’Shea. A shimmy onto his collect a foot again, and he plays Crowley in man again, but his long range than the weekend crowd stronger right foot sends pass, but it zips out over the as Diarmuid O’Connor tracks effort balloons across goal. for Mayo/Kerry. 23 MINS: Seamus O’Shea is O’Shea 10 yards the other way sideline. O’Shea is pointing for back and fouls. The free is Geaney does well to shake off The pulling power of turned over by Stephen O’Brien before he shoots over in acres cover in front of Donaghy. The converted by James and score a Mayo is highlighted by around halfway. Anthony Maher of space. high ball is pinged in and O’Donoghue. point. the fact that the Kerry/ Tyrone All-Ireland semi- final back in 2015 open game, without giving Donaghy credit who isn’t afraid to gamble on his gut Gaelic Grounds are a prime example. moved O’Shea out and went for it,’ if it’s attracted just 53,044. for being way more than just a target man. instinct and make brave decisions. Donaghy turned the draw upside down not your head on the chopping block, but There was a 52,495 The problem Rochford had is that once he The general consensus is, ‘no,’ but when he went to full-forward, setting up who can play there instead of him, if it’s attendance at the Kerry/ started O’Shea at full-back, providing Corofin All-Ireland-winning boss James O’Donoghue’s goal, and he ran riot not Vaughan. Mayo All-Ireland semi- Donaghy wasn’t pulling down high balls, Rochford is a realist, and quite conserva- in the replay, On the evidence of what we’ve seen of final draw back in 2014, winning frees and laying on goals, or scor- tive by nature. Then Mayo boss James Horan went with Mayo over the years, there is no-one else. while in 2013 a hugely ing them himself, he had to stick with him. Mayo have to get into big games against Ger Cafferkey in the replay, but Donaghy A regular full-back won’t do for Donaghy. impressive crowd of Imagine the abuse if Rochford had said the big guns, and stay in them to take it to scored a goal, set up another and won an Dublin are fortunate Philly McMahon is so 65,345 attended the ‘job done’ at half-time, moved O’Shea out the wire. amount of poor long ball inside to keep good, and so physical. Mayo/Tyrone semi-final. the field and Donaghy set up or scored a Kerry afloat. Who would Tyrone try on him? At least In 2012 a crowd of 55,169 goal. He’d have been crucified for not hav- Ripped Kerry went on to triumph in extra-time. they’d have nearby for were at the Donegal/Cork semi-final, while not even ing the courage of his convictions. The 2004 and 2006 All-Ireland final Donaghy — the 2017 vintage — is a slicker, back-up and a system to clog it up around hammerings by Kerry were games they Kildare’s pulling power in People need to get real here. Rochford is sharper and fitter beast than Donaghy the the goals, but Mayo don’t play like that. 2010 could oustrip Mayo, not playing with the loaded deck of for- were never in. And could never win 2014 version. If Kerry had to mark Donaghy, they’d because their full-back line was ripped to with 62,182 attending their wards that Kerry and Dublin possess. He Rochford clearly figured have no-one for him. semi-final defeat by Down. has to be a pragmatist. pieces. wouldn’t have the size to compete with Rochford is hardly going to change his Ignore the lessons of history and it will Tickets for Kerry and The only show in town this week is, ‘Do Donaghy, or that he couldn’t afford to take view that O’Shea is the man for the job. Mayo’s replay are on sale Mayo leave O’Shea on Donaghy for the come back to bite you. The 2014 All- the chance on it. He gets one shot at this again. He has to Ireland semi-final draw and replay at the from the usual sources replay?’ It’s another massive call for a man It’s well and good to say, ‘he should have get it right. including gaa.ie, Centra and SuperValu outlets.