'More mature' Hurley ready for the challenge of Dublin

Cork's Brian Hurley talks to Peter McNamara about the Dublin challenge, the spread of GAA around the globe and having to become "a more patient player".

'More mature' Hurley ready for the challenge of Dublin

By Peter McNamara

Brian Hurley is not one for hyperbole when questioned on the progress of the GAA’s expansion to a worldwide audience, but he appreciates the importance of promoting the Association, all the same.

On Sunday, at Croke Park, Hurley will line-up alongside fellow attacking assassin Colm O’Neill in Cork’s two-man inside forward line in the Allianz NFL Division 1 final against Dublin and take in another wonderful setting at “The Big House”.

Hurley has thrived at senior inter-county level with the Leesiders and relishes the opportunities afforded to him and Cork to strut their stuff at headquarters.

Presently, though, Hurley views himself as a “more mature character” than the one that would get frustrated last term at a shortage of high-quality possessions targeted at his domain.

“As a young lad, I was stone-mad about football and would have gone to a lot of games at Croke Park, so any chances I get to play there I always try to thrive on the occasion,” Hurley explained.

“It’s funny, I remember saying the year before playing in the All-Ireland minor final against Tyrone in 2010 'that I would have loved to have been involved in All-Ireland final-day next year' and even though the day itself did not go as we wanted it to, it was great to realise that dream at the time.

“I grew up looking at the likes of Donncha (O’Connor), who’ll laugh at this, and (Graham) Canty and always idolised those fellas and next thing I am training with them, it is dreamland territory.

“Even since last year, I have learned a lot being involved with the team. I am a more mature character now, even just one year on from getting frustrated during games at times because of packed defences.

“Now, I am a more patient player, looking for the next ball, the next opportunity.”

In the same way Hurley used to look up to the likes of O’Connor and Canty, the current generation of youthful onlookers on Leeside see the Castlehaven player as a developing figure of substance.

When the kids on the streets think of Cork, more often than not it is Hurley and O’Neill they would most like to emulate in their own under-age playing careers and beyond.

Hurley understands the role model responsibility comes with the territory of being a senior inter-county beacon and, as an extension of that, appreciates the significant impact promoting the GAA is having around the globe.

“The way it is now, the promotion of our games is definitely putting the GAA in the right direction.

“Look at American football, that is one of the biggest sports in the world and hopefully we will have people all over the planet talking about the GAA with the levels of promotion nowadays."

The Rebel forward recognises that GAA is growing in lots of countries through good PR.

"We’re a small island on the map but it is great to see our traditions go all over the world.

“It’s great that the games are promoted so much now, and when I see young fellas in the street by Union Hall or wherever, I try to say ‘Hi’ as much as I can because that is all part-and-parcel of it too,” he said.

Dublin stand, as a considerable force, in the way of Cork landing the league title on Sunday.

Yet, Hurley, though acknowledging Dublin’s qualities, says Cork are in a confident place at present.

“Dublin, of course, are a really good side and have proved that again in the league this year, but there is a really good buzz about our camp at the moment and confidence is high.

“We are looking forward to the challenge before us,” he added.

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