New Cork manager Brian Cuthbert will have to do without the services of Noel O'Leary after the wing back brought the curtain down on his 14-year inter-county career.

The teak tough Cill na Martra clubman, who had many a run-in with Kerry's Paul Galvin down the years, made his senior debut shortly after winning an All-Ireland minor medal in 2000. He had to wait another decade before finally getting his hands on an All-Ireland senior medal. His other honours include three Munster SFC and three National League Division 1 medals.


Reflecting on his Cork career in the Irish Examiner, O'Leary said: "I have no complaints. I've had a fair innings with Cork. I'm there 14 years, believe it or not.

"I came in first when there were still league games played before Christmas. I was brought in for a game against Limerick (in 2000), I remember. It went pretty okay that day. I got a goal, which didn't reflect the way things panned out afterwards, to be honest."

He continued: "The senior All-Ireland was the highlight, obviously, though winning the minor was great crack as well. Having played for so long, and to come so close a couple of times before that, it was great to win it.

"But there were other highlights, too. It might sound like a cliche, but making the friends I did with Cork, and with other counties, that was great. Seeing the world with the team was a great privilege too - I certainly saw places I'd never have seen otherwise."

O'Leary insists his rivalry with Paul Galvin was overstated in the media.

"He texted me after we won the All-Ireland, in fairness," he recalled.

"Look, we had a few clashes over the years but I think in reality a lot of those were blown slightly out of proportion by the media. I'd have nothing but respect for Paul as a player and I'd hope he'd feel the same way about myself.

"Yes, we had our battles in various games, those are memories I won't forget, but I wouldn't have a bad word said against Paul. I'd appreciate everything he did and achieved as a player, and hopefully down the road we could meet up and have a few drinks and a chat.

"Wearing the senior jersey for Cork was the ultimate for me, something I dreamed of as a child and which came true for me as an adult. I'll always appreciate the honour of representing the people of Cork." Tweet

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