Talismanic Cork forward Patrick Horgan insists his career will not be defined by whether or not he becomes an All-Ireland winner as he prepares to face Clare in Sunday’s final at Croke Park.
With over 700 championship points scored, three Munster titles and four All-Stars, Horgan is widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation.
He has, however, never tasted success on hurling’s biggest day, losing All-Ireland finals with Cork in 2013 and 2021.
But Horgan insists that while having a Celtic Cross medal is a “big deal”, he is driven by his love of hurling, not the prospect of adding to his trophy cabinet.
“I’ve always said this, that it’s just a thing to have,” said the Glen Rovers club-man.
“But it’s not why I do it, definitely. I love playing hurling and I love playing with this group of players. I get on really well with them all.
“After the semi-final the final, the prize wasn’t the final. For me, it was like ‘we’re training Tuesday night and that’s really important’. To our group it is important.”
While up to now he has known nothing but pain on All-Ireland final day, Horgan has already banked some special memories with the Rebels, with provincial triumphs in 2014, 2017 and 2018.
“An All-Ireland final or medal, it’s one day. If I look back over, how many years I play with Cork, I’ve a lot more than one day to look back at and be happy about.
“I’m delighted and I’ve enjoyed every minute of playing hurling. It’s a big deal obviously and I’d love to, but at the end of it all, it’s just a day and we’ll just get on with it afterwards.”
He added: “Having a medal, it means a lot but when you look back, it won’t be just the day. You’ll always remember it, but there are other days too.”