GAAGO analyst Eoin Cadogan will be involved in Sunday's 'Warm Up' show at Croke Park before the All-Ireland SHC Final. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Another intriguing Sunday afternoon looms at Croke Park.
Before the All-Ireland SHC Final, 'The Warm Up' pre match show takes place from 2pm, including analysis from former inter-county stars Eoin Cadogan, Podge Collins, and John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer.
An eagerly anticipated encounter between Cork and Clare is capturing the imagination, with Cadogan expecting a tight tussle. "I actually think that both teams are very similar in how they match up really, from a hurling perspective and a physicality perspective," Cadogan says.
"Both teams will have been delighted, in the sense that Clare have got over that semi-final hoodoo that they had, beating Kilkenny.
"For Cork, they have beaten the All-Ireland champions twice in the Munster Championship, when backs were against the wall, and in the All-Ireland semi-final.
"Both teams will have taken huge confidence from that, both teams will fully believe that they are capable of winning the game. I think we are in for a serious All-Ireland final."
Down by the banks of the Lee, the Cork team has reconnected with supporters. Two early Munster SHC losses hurt, but Pat Ryan's charges have thundered back into the reckoning. "I think this group of players have instilled hope in a lot of the Cork supporters," Cadogan says.
"Everyone has talked about the Munster Championship, how difficult it is to get out of it. They've done that, especially when their backs were against the wall at Páirc Uí Chaoimh against Limerick.
The Warm Up Show takes place before Sunday's All-Ireland SHC Final at Croke Park.
"The excitement levels down here are on a different level, but that excitement should be embraced."
Playing sport at the highest level in both codes taught Cadogan many valuable lessons. "I think the players, as have the Clare players, I'd imagine, realise as to how important sport is within their counties," Cadogan adds.
"Inevitably, when you're playing you don't appreciate how much it means to people. Now, that I'm after stepping away from it for a couple of years, you get a full eye opener as to how much sport means, the excitement it gives people.
"Even for younger people, neither county has won an All-Ireland for Clare in 11 years and for Cork in 19 years. So, for those young kids, 15 or 16 years of age, they now have something to aspire to, whether it be a Seán O'Donoghue or Tony Kelly for that matter. It is brilliant, there is a great buzz in both counties."
Cadogan has thoroughly enjoyed working as an analyst on GAAGO. "I've a fierce interest in hurling and football, I had that interest when I was playing," he explains.
"I'd like to study teams, I'd look at opposition players, what foot they kicked off, what side they struck off, different trends. All I'm trying to do now really is breakdown what the best players in Ireland are doing.
"Once you're doing any sort of analysis or punditry, once you're fair and you can back up your statements with facts, I think people respect you and they value it. For me, it isn't about clickbait or cutting fellas. As a former player, you know exactly how difficult it is to reach an All-Ireland final.
"Never mind anything else, how difficult it is to be an inter-county player, the sacrifices these players make. It is a privilege to be able to go in, to watch these guys up close. To be there on Sunday, for Cork and Clare, I can't wait for it, to be honest."
