Class act 'Deano' calls it a day

Many great hurlers have donned the red of Cork over the years but none classier than Joe Deane.

Deane, who was adoringly referred to as 'Deano' by the Rebel faithful has decided not to make himself available to Denis Walsh, and the new head honcho down Leeside announced the decision following the defeat to Waterford in the Park on Sunday.

The diminutive Killeagh clubman picked up three All-Ireland medals throughout his illustrious career, in 1999, 2004 and 2005, as well as two U21 All-Ireland medals and a minor All-Ireland. A nice haul for a player who looked small enough to be playing U16! But as we all know.... size doesn't matter, and Deane proved this time and time again.

The 31-year-old is the second player from the 2008 Cork panel to announce his retirement following Brian Murphy's decision last week.

Murphy, though a very capable corner-back in his own right, did not have the same aura Deane had and it will be the latter who will leave the greater hole in the Cork hurling fold.

Anyone who loves hurling for hurling's sake and not just for the sake of following their own county or team would have welcomed Deane into their hearts willingly had there been a transfer structure in place in the GAA.

... a score is surely on the way?!?

Deane, yellow helmet in tow, always seemed to be in space, always seemed to make forward play look simple and always seemed to do the right thing at the right time. 

Whether it be Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Semple Stadium or Croke Park, Deane was at home, and he liked nothing better than darting into the corners of the aforementioned hurling cauldrons, nonchalantly picking up the sliotar, faking one way, then the other, before a tap of the ball on the hurl and a smooth strike over the black spot. How many times? How many times?

Always humble and always approachable, Deane fought testicular cancer off in 2004 and returned to torment defences the length and breadth of the country. A true mark of the man.

His inter-county career may have come to an end but Killeagh will certainly benefit from his services for years to come, one suspects.

"I saw him play two club matches in the last week and he was unbelievable," Cork boss, Walsh, admitted on Sunday afternoon.

"He’s been a brilliant player, one of the top players of all time."

It's not often I'd agree with a Cork hurling manager but this is one of them. 'Deano, Deano, Deano'... A great servant and player.