Micheál Aodh Martin and the agreement between father and son in the Taoiseach’s house

There’s a mutual agreement between father and son in the Taoiseach’s household.

With Micheál Aodh Martin minding the net for the Cork footballers and Micheál Senior running the country, both get their share of feedback. But that doesn’t extend within their four walls.

“We have a mutual thing there. I won't scrutinise his performance if he doesn't scrutinise mine,” smiles Micheál Aodh.

“We've probably both learned over the years that it doesn't work otherwise.”

The Taoiseach has previously joked about getting “desperate flak” from his son when Nemo Rangers’ county football final was postponed at short notice in 2020 due to covid restrictions.

“In fairness, over the last couple of years the WhatsApp has gotten a bit quieter and I don't give him as much stick,” says Micheál Aodh.

“But I'd say he's probably enjoying this year more. I think anyone in his generation cannot understand the handpass. You'd be trying to explain. He kind of gave up on that one a few years ago and doesn't scrutinise it too much.”

Would the 31-year-old goalkeeper, who works for PwC, consider a career change into the family trade?

“I think I've enough on my plate now. Inter-county football definitely takes up most of my time, and I'm happy in the day job,” he replies.

“Look, we're all interested in it. Whether I'd have an interest in taking on a role, because I can see what it entails, I haven't thought that far ahead.

“I just have an interest in him and the issues locally. But I'm definitely happy for now in the day job.

“Really, I have an ambition with Cork. I really want Cork football to keep improving. That's my driver at the moment. I'd love to get back into big games.”

As a goalkeeper, Martin reports that Gaelic football’s new rules have increased the time spent coaching the old values of shot-stopping.

Earlier this month, a GAA study found that while goals per game were lower in the 2025 provincial championships, the average number of shots on goal had increased.

“Year on year, you probably spent less time doing the old, traditional stuff to do with goalkeeping, like shot-stopping, handling, high balls,” says Martin.

“But actually that's increased because there are two-pointers dropping short in and around the square, so you have to command your square and make good decisions around that.

“There are definitely more shots per game in on goal. I wonder if that will increase now as the summer goes on.

“The whole idea with the rules is that the more two-pointers, the more we all have to push out on those two-pointers and the more room there is inside.

“That was the vision from the FRC (Football Review Committee). Certainly, when we started training last December, that's what it was like. There was mad goal chances, then everyone got a bit better at defending, and they slowed up again.

“But I wonder as the ground gets a bit harder and faster, we'll definitely see three or four goal opportunities per game, I think.”

The Rebels have recorded some major group-stage scalps in the past two seasons, taking down Mayo and Donegal. But just as significant were their hard-earned first-round victories over Louth and Clare to ease the pressure and build that momentum.

They begin with a trip to Páirc Tailteann to face Meath on Saturday. A Kerry rematch on Leeside and a neutral-venue tie with Roscommon will follow.

“The reality is that we've been fourth seeds in the last couple of years and we know what that entails in terms of having to get big results in the group stage,” says Martin.

“The first game is very important. If you can win it, it puts you in a really good position, so you really focus on the first game.

“Last year, we were probably 30 minutes from getting three wins in the group, which would have been a brilliant performance. Realistically, your whole season flips then.

“We didn't close out the game well against Tyrone. You under-perform the next day, and you just have to deal with that and man up for that fallout after.

“But from a player's point of view, it's a good system where you have good games, hard games against good teams. That's what you want.” - Micheál Aodh Martin was speaking at SuperValu’s sponsorship renewal of the All-Ireland Football Championship for another five years.

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