Flanagan has Cork fighting fit for final
By Peter McNamara
Conor Dorman and Jamie O’Sullivan have both said Pat Flanagan’s experience as a trainer is having a desired impact on Cork’s panel as the Rebels prepare to meet Dublin in the Allianz NFL Division 1 final on Sunday at Croke Park.
Dorman suggested, under Flanagan, he is fitter than ever.
“I have to say I am feeling pretty good, I am probably fitter and stronger than I ever was,” Dorman stressed. “Pat (Flanagan) has come in this year and has done a great job with us.
“Everybody is feeling great physically, actually. Obviously, you would always have your one or two injuries but we are flying.
“Pat has huge experience having won All-Irelands with Kerry and on the training field his football knowledge really shines through.
“Obviously, there is a massive emphasis on fitness with him but Pat actually does some of the drills with us too and is well-respected by the panel.”
O’Sullivan concurs, further illustrating Flanagan’s skill-set.
“With Pat in charge, and the fitness levels we have now, roaming up and down the field, supporting the attack when we can from the back, is even more fluid.
“The management have encouraged us, if we feel the opportunity is there, to support the forwards and with Pat’s excellent training sessions we are geared for that,” he said.
Ironically, O’Sullivan and Dorman, two articulate characters, are not only sharing Bishopstown club and inter-county colours nowadays.
Currently, the former, an energy engineer, is also training the latter, an intern, in at their place of work, Arup.
And O’Sullivan has no problem in getting the mischievous dig in at his understudy.
“Yeah, Conor is in with us as an intern, making the tea!
“We’re in Arup in Oliver Plunkett St. It’s great. I qualified last June so I started there then.
“It’s mainly mechanical-based, services for any type of buildings really and trying to reduce energy bills for companies like EMC and Apple,” he explained.
“We’re sick of each other at this stage. And I’ve yet to make tea,” Dorman joked.
Understandably, the pairing share the opinion that Dublin have been impressive again so far this year, especially defensively.
Jim Gavin’s side, as a primary example of how effective their rearguard has been, have conceded just two goals in their eight league encounters to date including Dublin’s semi-final victory over Monaghan.
“I think, in terms of their back line, Dublin have performed really well in the league,” O’Sullivan stated. “They are league champions and have players like Alan Brogan back in their panel.
“Dublin are a seasoned team but we don’t fear them at all, especially as we have beaten them already this season.”
Dorman added: “Jim Gavin was saying at the start of the league that he would be giving guys opportunities so they have brought in a lot of fellas and still got to the league final which shows how good they are.
“They are going for three-in-a-row but we want to win this just as much.”
