Sunday 01 November

Orla O'Leary (0:11)

On Cork.

SPEAKER_4 (0:12)

RedFM.

Orla O'Leary (0:14)

Hello and good evening. You are listening to The Big Red Bench with myself, Orla O'Leary. An eventful weekend in sports this weekend. First off, we had Cork Mogi manager, Ger Manley, who has stepped down after delivering two All-Ireland titles during his three years in charge. Manley has told Cork's County Board that he feels a fresh voice is needed to help them in their bid to retain the O'Duffy Cup next summer. The Rebels also won a monster championship and league title during his tenure. It's such a shame, really, he was an absolute, unbelievable manager, but at least he is ending his tenure with his head held high.

And Cantark, they were Crown Senior A Football Championship winners today. And Aarons own were Crown Senior A Hurling Championship winners.

And Glen Rovers and Balling Colleague, they were also sadly knocked out of their respective monster championships. So commiserations to all from The Big Red Bench. And St. Fimbers, they did advance to the monster championship final after their victory to Turliss Southfield. And Liverpool are currently hosting Arsenal at Anfield, where Arsenal currently lead 1-0. But to be fair, Liverpool, they're still most definitely in the title race. And in the Scottish Premiership then, leaders Celtic, they suffered a surprise tuna loss at Falkirk. I can't believe it, to be fair. But there is sometimes those games for Celtic, where they just don't keep their standard, I suppose you could say. And as well, for the F1 fans, the Mexican Grand Prix takes place tonight at 8pm Irish time. So lots going on this weekend in the land of sports.

So yesterday, you did hear the first part of this fabulous interview on Harry's show.

So now it's time for the second part of an amazing interview. Cork City legend Greg Bouldier speaking to our very own Ruairí coming up next on The Big Red Bench.

Ruairí (2:30)

I suppose from Cork City fans' perspective, that 2017 team was just incredibly special.

Greg Bouldier (2:34)

Yeah, on real life. I've said it many times. I think obviously John had a big influence on the team and being so close over the years, playing the bridesmaid, trying to get that title. And he bringing in lads from Dublin, myself from Wexford, Kenny Browne from Walford, that were trying to build and he was trying to bring on players, bring lads in that were winners. And then obviously having an influence on the lads down here that were so hungry. But like I said, it was player driven. Geez, we had so many. I think John knew, he knew he had the squad that were capable of winning. And you know, John, he's up the wall. You know, he loves it.

And I felt, he felt that he knew he had the team that could win the league. So I think he brought in a good group of lads from different parts of their careers, young and hungry ones, lads that had won things and brought it all together and he could see it. That these lads, I have a good group here. And I think every day in training was just driven by the players really. Yeah, John, obviously, but I think it's hard. I probably had it twice in my career where I sent Patz and I Cork where it was player driven. There was lads every day, 11v11s or whatever it was, we used to drive each other on. And I think it was such a big factor of us winning things, the same as saying Patz. When I won the first title, it was literally driven by the players. They were hungry to win. And definitely that 2017 team that were Cork was just like we knew we were close and we were driving each other every day. And it's hard to get that now. Especially the way the age group of the league, everyone was getting younger, lads are running the game, coming into the big teams and expected and the pressure and all. But it's hard to get that where it's player driven. And Jesus, that team especially, such talented players, but hungry lads wanted to win, men.

Janoan, Benitz and stuff like that, that they had a great career coming back, still driving lads on. And such talented players like Sean, he dueled Shepp's, Gareth Morris's.

Yeah, special team, probably the best team I've played in.

Ruairí (4:41)

I think with Caulfield from the outside looking, he looked like a great man manager. He knew when I felt I needed a bollock and an arm around the shoulder.

Greg Bouldier (4:47)

Oh, he knew when he needed a bollock and an arm around the shoulders, but no, that was it. Like I said, John was high strong.