Hogan: Corbett's departure is huge loss

by James McMahon

Lar Corbett's decision to quit the inter-county scene is not only a loss to Tipperary, but to hurling in general, according to Irish Independent journalist Vincent Hogan.

Hogan, a Tipperary native, was speaking to Des Cahill on Morning Ireland in the aftermath of Corbett's shock announcement, citing work and business commitments.

He said: "I’m astonished; I thought it was a hoax. I had heard that Lar was emigrating so I rang him last week and he informed me that he had just returned from Australia after attending a friend’s wedding.

"He was absolutely unequivocal that he was really looking forward to training for the county side and getting back into the thick of the action. He was positive about the year ahead, so I don’t know what has happened in the interim.

"It is a shock and the people that I have spoken to in Tipperary are absolutely amazed by the decision. I also didn’t detect any sense of optimism from them that Corbett may reverse his decision."

When asked whether the arrival of the longer days would bring about a change of heart, Hogan added: "I hope it would. It is unthinkable that a man absolutely in his prime would arrive at this decision. He was free-scoring last season until he had that off-day in the All-Ireland final."

Corbett's departure does bring into question the commitment demanded of county players. The 2010 Player of the Year will be 31 in March and has just got engaged, while he is also trying to develop his business.

Hogan is of the view that maybe it is wrong of the public to assume that players will continue to make sacrifices to further their sporting careers.

He also feels that criticism of Corbett in the wake of last year's All-Ireland defeat to Kilkenny was unfair. He explained: "The public can be very unforgiving. I don’t think anybody can point a finger at Lar Corbett last year.

"In the final, he received little quality ball. In the Munster final, he scored four goals, and when Tipperary struggled against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, he notched up 1-03 with his first four balls.

"The guy is a sensational hurler, probably the most sensational hurler playing at the moment, so it’s not just Tipp’s loss, but hurling’s loss if he sticks to his decision."