Last week, we sat down with legends of hurling, Lar Corbett and Tommy Walsh, as part of our Jameson Caskmates & Tonic Social Serve Series. The former Kilkenny and Tipperary hurlers discussed the highs and lows of their career as well as the importance of belief in themselves and their teams over the years.
The pair talked about the impact that management had on both of their careers, driving them forward to All Ireland finals and instilling a belief that they were the best.
Speaking about his relationship with Brian Cody, Tommy commented: “He always made you feel like you were the best on the team… that’s the way Cody led you to believe.
“He didn’t think you were going to win, that you had a given right to win, but he thought you were the best if you were tuned in. I think that was a massive confidence builder for our team because when we went back every January, he wasn’t talking about winning All Irelands like, he was talking about getting back on the team and winning the next match.
“Cody thought one way – that you were the best, we never had them doubts going around in our heads.”
Lar discussed some of the best advice he ever received from Eamon O’Shea: “When you’re out the back at ten years of age and you’re kicking the soccer ball, we all thought some part that we were Maradona because we saw him on the television, he said it’s only grown-ups that told you that you weren’t, you never said it yourself that you weren’t.
“He made you feel like at ten years of age you’re Maradona out the back playing the soccer.”
The pair also discussed marking and that important 2011 year, with Tommy commenting: “2011 was man to man – it wasn’t just Lar!”
“That was probably said in the dressing room – if he goes the toilet, go after him!”
Lar replied: “That was it, that cut out any movement – any game plan you had as a forward, cut it all out, because that means no matter where you went, your man is coming with you. So now you had to think, where does your man maybe not want to go?”
You can watch the full interview above and all Off The Ball social channels.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
