'You don't know what's around the corner': Conor Lehane resilient through Cork ups and downs

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

The last time I sat opposite Conor Lehane was at Midleton's 2021 county final press evening. The last question I put to him inquired about a return to red.
After 10 seasons on the inter-county stage, 2021 was his first time out of the Cork loop. His focus was exclusively trained on club matters. He was tearing up the same club arena. A top-scoring total of 0-42 - 0-25 from the placed-ball - in Midleton's five game run to the local decider.
And so as our conversation was approaching full-time, I asked if he was hopeful of a Cork recall in 2022.
'I wouldn't think anything past tonight even,' replied Lehane. 'If your head is elsewhere, you wouldn't be fully in where you are, so you don't want to be doing it for other reasons, which is unfair to everyone.'
His 2021 story, not that everyone doesn't already know the ending, finished with a winning 0-13 county final haul and a return ticket to the Cork set-up.
That red sequel, mind, has been neither smooth nor straightforward.
His introduction three minutes into second-half injury-time against Waterford on May 25 was only his third involvement of 2025 and first championship involvement in 337 days.
His 65th minute point last time out against Dublin was his first Croke Park score going right the way back to the same semi-final stage of the 2018 championship.
'I didn't realise that. That's kind of sad,' he half laughs in reply to our pointing out of that seven-year stat at last week's All-Ireland final press evening.
'You genuinely don't know what's around the corner. As you get older, you'd understand that a bit better, and you've to go through the ups and downs of something to appreciate that a bit more.
'You're always aware of it but until it actually happens, you get a real insight then of how gutting it can be when things don't go as expected. But it's your reaction to it and how you apply yourself to the next thing is key, and that starts way, way before something might happen.
'Seven years later, the good mentality for that could happen years prior, so it's key just to make sure the disappointment that's there is addressed, parked, and then it's what's up next and make sure you're bringing your best self to that.'
His 56th minute point against Limerick seven years ago shoved Cork six clear. Limerick roared back and roared on. Lehane was sat at home for the 2021 All-Ireland final defeat to the same green machine and sat unused in the Hogan Stand 12 months ago when Clare kept the famine going on Leeside.
All thrown together, he's still waiting 12 years later for further All-Ireland final involvement.
The events of 12 months ago were the latest example in Lehane's red story that very few sporting careers run in linear fashion. Of the 10 outfield players on Cork's 2024 All-Ireland final bench, only two - Lehane and Pádraig Power - didn't get a look in during the 90 minutes.
His response is fascinating. He doesn't shy away from how he felt when overlooked. He's also a brutal realist. His is an outlook hardened by so much of 2025 being similarly overlooked, even if there were interrupting injuries during the League.
'Obviously I'd love to have been involved,' he says of last July. 'I'd have loved to have been a part of it and try and make an impact, but it's about being a grown up as well and if that's not the case then you've got to take it on the chin and regroup again. You've no other choice, really.
'Every player that's involved wants to be getting as much game time as humanly possible, everyone wants to be impacting positively, and when it doesn't happen, you'd be heartbroken in a way. But that's the whole gig. It's sport, it's not meant to be this kind of nice, everyone gets a go. Every player here has experienced the highs and lows of coming on, hopefully, with a big win on the team and others not coming on at all and mentally dealing with that.'
Wayne Sherlock was also present at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last week. He heaped praise on the 32-year-old for never raising his voice and forever keeping his head down during those barren times.
Read More
Seánie McGrath: Tipperary yet to prove they can live with destructive Cork trio
'He came back this year and have I ever seen him complain or look pissed off? No. There's a lot of fellas who are pissed off and should be because they're not getting game-time, it's very, very hard, but I've never looked at him once and said, 'he's not happy tonight',' Sherlock remarked.
'He just comes in, keeps the head down, gets his work done. The way he has performed [in training] since before the Munster final, he deserves every minute he gets on the pitch.'
The doors slid favourably and fortunately for him on the night of the Munster final. He was sent into action at the end of the third of four injury-time allotted minutes. Aaron Gillane was lining up a potentially match-winning free further down the Mackey Stand. The free was off-target, as were Ciarán Joyce and Darragh O'Donovan in an erratic and exhilarating finish.
Had any of the three pointed, Lehane would never have got the 20 extra-time minutes where he spectacularly re-emerged in red. He sniped a pair of points. He assisted a third. He nailed the penalty that resuscitated Cork early in the shootout.
'It's brilliant to get that opportunity to have that 20 minutes and just showcase or do whatever you can to impact the game,' continued the Bulmers employee.
'It was unreal to experience [penalties], especially the way I'd been out for a while and not really involved, and then when the opportunity came you don't be thinking about that because you'd be a bag of nerves otherwise.
'To be involved in the way it ended, the aftermath and the dressing room, it's worth any bit of hardship you went through throughout the year to experience that. And I know it's not guaranteed but when it did happen, you just try and take in the moment as best as you can.'
One more moment he craves, one more opportunity.