Shane Kingston: 'You need to enjoy every minute of it'
eir hurling ambassador Shane Kingston was on hand as eir announced a major milestone in its network transformation - Ireland’s No.1 5G Network Availability award for the fifth year in a row. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Shane Kingston is a decade representing Cork at senior inter-county level. Has his perspective changed? Definitely,” Kingston replies instantly.
“When you come in as a young fella, you're just breezing through everything as if you're going to be there forever. As you get a bit older, it is my 10th season now, you realise the importance and the privilege of it all. You want to make the most of it while you're there.
“When you're young everyone tells you to enjoy it because your career will be going so quickly.
“As you get 26, 27, or 28 you do realise it all goes so fast, you need to enjoy every minute of it. You're playing with people for four or five days a week, who’re your best friends. It is a great environment to be involved in.”
Having worked under his father, Kieran Kingston, the Cork attacker appreciates the role of a manager. The patience and leadership required is crucial, so Kingston acknowledges Pat Ryan’s influence.
With a blend of emerging and established players, the Cork panel is in a good place ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Dublin at Croke Park. “There is nearly a mix, he was managing the U20s for a couple of years, and was very successful with them,” Kingston says.
“He brought those relationships through with him and amalgamated them with the more experienced guys. It has obviously worked very well, and they've been massive additions to the group which is great. Although there are various age gaps, everyone gets on very well which is brilliant.”
Cork's Shane Kingston celebrates after scoring a point in the 2024 All-Ireland SHC Final against Clare. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Winning a Munster title in dramatic circumstances injected belief and momentum into the Cork set-up. “Yeah, definitely, it feels like it's a long time ago now, but obviously it was a great victory,” Kingston reflects.
“It was great to get another Munster medal. It has been a long time since we had one. When we came in, towards the end of '16, in '17 and '18 we won two back to back Munsters and thought it was brilliant, that it was going to happen every year.
“As time goes on, you quickly learn that isn't the case. You need to cherish those moments when they do happen. It was great.”
Cork’s gritty response following the Munster SHC round robin loss to Limerick was hugely impressive. “We weren't at the races at all the first day against Limerick,” Kingston remarks.
“I remember Rob (Downey) said in his speech after the Munster Final, that we went home with our tails between our legs. I think it was 16 points, we all remember the 2021 All-Ireland, but I think that was less than 16.
“So, it was obviously a very disappointing performance, but we put the heads down and trained hard for the couple of weeks. We just got motoring.”
Cork’s journey continues.
eir has reached a major milestone in its network transformation, Ireland's No.1 5G Network Availability award for the fifth year in a row. As the first operator to launch 5G at Croke Park in 2020, eir continues to enhance the matchday experience for fans and players alike. Known as the fastest field sport in the world, hurling is a fitting match for eir’s ultra-fast fibre and 5G networks – now bringing faster speeds, stronger connections, and better coverage to communities across Ireland.
