O'Connor: it's not about relegating Kerry
March 21, 2013
Cork's Donncha O'Connor and Kerry's Shane Enright were in Ballydesmond today at the Cork/Kerry border as part of the GAA's promotion of the Allianz Leagues.
Cork ace O'Connor lives right on the border and the two counties square up to each other in the NFL Division 1 in Austin Stack Park on Sunday.
"Well, no, I would not say that," he replied when the Irish Daily Star asked if he would like to send Kerry down to Division 2.
"It's such a competitive league so, if you do get relegated, I don't think it's any big deal, or I don't think it will be any big downer by summer time, whoever gets relegated.
"We probably need a point from our last two games to be certain. The league is so competitive now that it's tough to win any games.
"You don't want to be relegated but it's so hard to know from one week to the next. All I know is that we needed two points to avoid relegation (against Donegal) and now have them.
"We want two points now to try and get a semi-final spot, so it's not about trying to get Kerry relegated.
"It's either ensuring we are safe or making the playoffs - that's what Sunday is about."
O'Connor's father hails from the Kerry side of the Blackwater river.
"I can remember being thrown into the back of a packed car with my father supporting Kerry and my mother Cork.
"I'm still not sure whether he supports Cork or Kerry. He's a publican in Ballydesmond.
"The river Blackwater is the boundary between the two counties. Once you cross the bridge at the top of the street you're in Kerry.
"Niall Fleming from Ballydesmond played for Kerry juniors against Cork a few years ago. There's no my mother would have allowed me to play for Kerry even if I wanted to." Tweet
