Powered by the engine of a Ferrari, propelled by the legs of a thoroughbred, Plunkett Kane continues to defy the logic of the ageing process.
At 35, the Coalisland midfielder performs a demanding, high-energy role and remains at the top of his game, 18 years on from his debut.
A 'Man of the Match' performance saw him hit 1-3 from play to shoot down the hopes of neighbours Clonoe in a pulsating SFC tie at Edendork, and he has plenty left in the tank as a quarter-final clash with Derrylaughan looms.
Strangely, Kane refers to the modern game as a young man’s pursuit, but he’s alluding to the lightning fast talents that surround him in an exciting Fianna side that’s chasing a second O’Neill Cup title in three years.
“That’s what you need. The way football is now. it’s a younger man’s game and you need those younger boys beating through.
“We have got a good mix of the younger and the older coming together.
“With those young lads, nothing beats pace, and once you’re running at the heart of a defence, it’s hard to defend against.
“So sometimes we’re just looking up and hoping those boys are coming off the shoulder.”
The truth is that every other member of the team is looking towards the inspirational veteran in the side for direction and influence, and it was no different as he ran the show in his side’s first round clash with an O’Rahilly’s side managed by former Armagh star Stevie McDonnell.
“Whenever you have games like that and Championship wins like that, that’s what makes all the hard work and all the pre-season work worthwhile,” he said.
“I came into the team young and I have been playing ever since.
“Whenever you’re playing for your club, it was part of growing up, and it makes it so special when you play in games like that.”
Fleeting thoughts of retirement have never been difficult to dispel from the mind, such is the sense of brotherhood within the squad.
Kane, who captained his club to a county title in 2010 side, is reluctant to break a precious bond with survivors from that victorious team.
“You grew up with those boys, and played with them, and it’s hard to step away from that.”
And he’s grateful for the opportunity to pull on the famous blue shirt once again and compete in a Championship that at times appeared doomed to the curse of Covid-19.
“At the start of lockdown, everybody was going out and doing their 5k and 10k runs, but after that you just had a lull, because you maybe thought that there was going to be no football this year.
“Thankfully football came back, and getting back to the training, with the squad of players we have now, it makes it so good and makes it all worthwhile.
“Getting the football back after the lockdown gave people back a sense of belonging, to get back to the club and get back training.
“It’s all-right training by yourself, but once you’re training with the team, it’s a different level.”
With Clonoe’s challenge dealt with, Coalisland have their eyes on a big Championship run, but they’re not looking too far ahead.
“We never thought of anything else outside of playing Clonoe. They’re our local rivals.
“It gave the people of the town a lift to get a win like that, and that’s all we were focused on.
“We know we have to get better, but we’ll knuckle down and go hard at it again.”
