Seán Óg accepts end of inter-county career

Cork hurling legend and JOE columnist Seán Óg ó hAilpín has accepted that his inter-county career has come to an end and is happy with his contribution to the Rebels over the last 14 years.

O hAilpín enjoyed a glittering career in the red jersey, winning three All-Stars and three All-Ireland titles including one as captain in 2005.

Rebel boss Denis Walsh took the controversial decision to axe the 33-year old from next year’s panel, a decision which provoked an angry reaction from many down south, including many of the current squad, who were rumoured to have approached Walsh in an effort to change his mind.

Such a scenario doesn’t seem likely, however and Seán Óg is keen to put an end to the matter and move on.

"I think it’s no hidden secret now, I’m not going to be involved next year,” he said.

“Whether I agree with it or not, I just have to accept it and move on. Once I know in my own head that it wasn’t me that pulled the plug on it, I’ll move on. Look, that was in October, it’s December now and life is moving on for Sean Óg.

"You’d look back and wonder did you make a contribution because it’s a team sport, it’s not an individual sport. And I’m happy enough that I did make a contribution. So I’ll walk away happy. I saw it as a job but it was a labour of love and I got great enjoyment out of it. The 14 years did go by fairly quickly. But if I had another 14 years, I’d do it all over again.

"I’ll look forward to the other parts of life that will probably open up for me now. I look forward to spending time with the people who have suffered because of my inter-county career. My girlfriend Siobhán has put up with a lot and stuck with me through thick and thin. For once this year we can plan a holiday and actually go away, and not have to think about bringing boots or runners to do a bit of training.

“As regards work as well, Ulster Bank have been great employers the last number of years, so I owe it to them now to get back to normality and start putting in the hours that are required there."

Seán Óg also added that his brother Aisake is flourishing since returning to Australia in recent months.

"He’s flying it,” said Seán Óg.

“It couldn’t be going better for him now. He’s in Australia, signed up with a Division 2 side. He’s working away. It was 30 degrees when I was talking to him now over the weekend and he was going to St Kilda beach. Look, he’s happy."