McCone quickens pace

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 17

McCone quickens pace

By .

JOHN COFFEY

Twelve months ago Paul McCone was training for the stamina to compete. in an Easter Monday marathon. Now his sporting ambitions have reverted back to rugby league, sprint work takes precedence, and next Easter Monday he hopes to be travelling to Sydney with South Island’s KB Cup team. Not too many footballers would consider embracing marathon running to improve their health. But McCone has long suffered from asthma, and he was prepared to endure the extensive preparation needed for a marathon in a bid to gain some relief.

McCone ran in the 1981 Mt Hutt marathon and was “really pleased” to complete the course in 3hr 18min. “My breathing has improved — it’s as good as gold now — and my recovery rate is much quicker at football training,” he said.

Because of his marathon commitment last autumn, McCone was late resuming his place in the Linwood back-tine. Others, had already earned recognition from representative selectors — although McCone was to return to the Canterbury wing for the last two matches — and

he had the handicap pf having lost considerable weight. The previous season he had shared in the South Island’s greatest rugby league achievement, its 12-11 triumph over the world champion Australian touring side.

More than that, for it was McCone who scored the second-half try which brought South within a point of its opponent and provided Barry Edkins with the chance to kick his matchwinning goal. - . McCone, naturally, has fond memories of that try. It was the product of a timely entrance by the full-back, Michael O’Donnell, and a superb pass which allowed McCone an overlap on the right flank. McCone’s wellknown finishing skills completed the manoeuvre. Now aged 28, McCone is keen to regain a South Island wing position for the KB Cup match against Canberra in Sydney on April 14. The wing roles were shared last season by McCone’s club-mate, David Campbell, and the West Coast trio, Martin Bennett, Stephen Low and Michael McEwen.

Although he has recently been used extensively by Linwood at stand-off half — “I like getting involved in a game” — McCone will be considered solely as a wing for South. He has certainly made his mark'in first-class football, with six tries in 10

games for Canterbury to complement his 61 premier tries for Linwood. McCone appreciates the fine spirit among the South trialists, and-the competitive nature of the preparations. , Canberra would have cause i for concern if McCone is in South’s first KB Cup team — his try against Australia was I in his debut for South, and he , had previously touched down ’ twice against Wellington in his first game for Canterbury.