NHL Cork: Ian O'Riordan finds the Cork talisman in fine form as he ponders Sunday's first big league test and beyond

He reckons Sunday's trip to Waterford will be the first big indicator of where they're going this year, but that old question of hunger won't really be answered until the championship. Otherwise, it's business as usual. There is still no one like Seán Óg Ó hAilpín to get to the pulse of Cork hurling.

Ó hAilpín was in Croke Park yesterday on behalf of Sigerson Cup sponsors Ulster Bank - having played in the former, he is also employed by the latter - and once again his star qualities were evident.

He started out with one microphone under his nose and this soon multiplied to over a dozen, yet he remained obliging and unruffled throughout.

It wasn't his first time back in Croke Park since the All-Ireland defeat to Kilkenny last September, having attended the two recent rugby internationals.

Still, the first talking point was getting back there for real with Cork in 2007, preferably a few times and culminating with a fifth final appearance.

"Our only focus now is this year," he said, wishing to leave the past to rest, "and to get back to the All-Ireland final. And sure that's the goal of every team.

"Right now we still want to be as competitive in the league as we can, go out to win every game. That takes us to our first real goal, which is Clare in the first round of the championship. That's a big D-Day for us this year."

Like many of his team-mates, Ó hAilpín enjoyed a good break over the winter, travelling extensively. Yet, he still started in Cork's opening league game with Offaly last Sunday week (which they comfortably won) in a change from his more gradual reintroduction of last few seasons.

"That's mostly down to Gerald McCarthy and the new management coming in this year. Their impetus is to start off straight away, whereas when John Allen or Donal O'Grady were involved maybe the league wasn't so much a priority.

"But the new management are under as much pressure as the players to deliver, and especially in a county like Cork.

"They don't want to come into the championship with question marks over the team, and it's definitely in their best interest to get Cork kick-started. We did beat Offaly, but then they are rebuilding, and will be good on time.

"I mean Wayne Sherlock was marking Joe Dooley in his heyday, and was marking his son Shane Dooley the last day, who came on as a sub. That shows the changes they're going through.

"Waterford, though, is a much tougher assignment. People are looking for early indicators, and this is one of those games. There will be questions about our hunger asked in the league, although the real answer is in the championship.

"But I'd still prefer some of those questions to be answered in the league, so at least all the heat won't be on us come the championship."

Any sportsman will tell you that having reached the top of your game, only to be knocked off, the hardest part can be getting back up there. Ó hAilpín is trying to do that for the third time in his career, as an All-Ireland winner in 1999, and again in 2004 and 2005.

He turns 30 later this year and knows the exact challenge that lies in store. "It does get much more difficult. I'm gearing myself now towards my last three years, and I do want to finish with a bang before I go to the next chapter in my life.

"I want to make those last years as good as possible. I don't want to finish up in three years' time beaten in the first round. People have short memories, and really remember you for your last few years. That's why my ideal finish would be what Séamus Moynihan had this year. And Peter Canavan the year before.

"But the Cork situation at the moment is that you have a bunch of young players all eager for success, and a bunch of players coming off four or five years of success. Trying to get the two to mix, and give it another good year, is the challenge."

Win or lose another All-Ireland before he retires one thing is certain - he won't be going into senior management.

"Not a hope. The only chance you'll see me on a GAA pitch after I retire is maybe coaching an under-12 team, at local level. I've no interest in going into senior management. I can handle under-12s though, who do what they're told and play with a free spirit."

So to Sunday's game, loaded with rivalry and incentive given recent championship clashes (four-two in Cork's favour) and the presence of McCarthy, who previously managed Waterford. Yet Ó hAilpín, faultlessly diplomatic, softens some of that with a surprise nod to the old rivals.

"If I was to take off my Cork cap we need to see other teams winning All-Irelands. So if Cork aren't involved in the final this year, and Waterford won, I'd be the first to go down to Walsh Park and congratulate them.

"But then I think Galway will also be a big menace this year. The one thing Ger Loughnane brings is belief, and I hope we don't meet them this year."