Show Notes
The Cork hurlers two from two to start the round robin series for the first time since its inception in 2018 and the footballers into a first Munster final in five years... a good weekend's work.
The Echo Sport Podcast crew break down the action from Thurles and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and access the state of play with time to take a breath before the action resumes after the May Bank Holiday.
Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.
On the hurling front, Cork emptied the tank to pull off a victory against Limerick, who, despite losing Aaron Gillane to a training-ground injury and Cian Lynch to a second-half red card, came very close to winning on Leeside. For the hosts, it's now 11 games in league and championship without defeat since two years ago when going under to Clare left them on the brink.
It's been an incredible run, as Man of the Match and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon told RTE: "It’s just unbelievable here, these are the best days of our lives.”
Now look we all know it's an All-Ireland we crave but that shouldn't take from the effort this group of players are putting in to try and end the famine. They had a ropey start on Sunday and didn't manage the last quarter as effectively as we'd have liked with an extra man but Limerick haven't hoovered up 15 major trophies in nine years for nothing.
They remain a phenomenal outfit but Cork are in an extremely strong position to make it into the All-Ireland series with plenty to work on as well. Injuries to Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey are a concern, the puck-outs remain a work in progress and some of the younger guns are still learning. But there are no shortage of positives either, with the goal threat to the fore once more and huge leadership being shown by the more experienced hurlers.
On the football front, Cork got going after a sluggish opening half at sun-sorched Semple Stadium before powering to a 15-point victory over Tipp. Being able to call on Ruairí Deane, Colm O'Callaghan and Brian Hurley from the bench highlighted the gulf in class between the sides but Cork are as well set as they've been in a while to rattle Kerry in Killarney.
Getting a first win in Fitzgerald Stadium in 31 years will be another sceál of course but there's big interest in the game and John Cleary's charges deserve massive support. Look what difference it makes to the hurlers... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Echo Sport Podcast
The Echo Sport Podcast crew breaks down the Premier Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling finals on this week's show, as well as previewing a busy Bank Holiday weekend as the Cork GAA season hits its thrilling conclusion. The big prizes on Sunday afternoon went to Glen Rovers and Ballincollig. Neither game fully caught fire but the Glen won't care after edging the first county final against the Barrs in 38 years thanks to a pair of Eoin O'Leary goals and a steady showing overall. O'Leary's haul of 2-2 took him to 5-13 for the season and surely on the radar of the Cork selectors. The Glen were just that bit better balanced than the Barrs, who did have a late shout for a penalty to force a draw, and it was a sweet victory after being relegated in 2023. It also atoned for county final losses in 2018, '19 and '20. Barrs were 0-12 to 0-10 up at the break having finished the first half well but O'Leary's opening goal turned the tide. Patrick Horgan finished with 0-3 from play but so too did midfielder Rhys Dunne. Ethan Twomey clipped a staggering 0-5 from play in the second half for the Barrs but it wasn't enough. Ballincollig were a point down at half-time against Dungourney after a slow start but took control in the second half to make up for losing the PIHC final 12 months ago to Ballinhassig. Adam Wills rifled the goal, his brother Stephen Willis picked up Man of the Match for his clinical shooting from play while Theo Morgan and Cian O'Driscoll nailed 0-3 apiece. In defence, James Dwyer, Ross O'Donovan, Barry Coleman and Fenton Denny were also immense. It's a blend of hurling and football next weekend, with the Premier Junior Hurling final on Friday night pairing St Catherine's and Kilshannig. On Sunday afternoon, there's a football double-header, Cobh versus Canovee at Premier Junior, followed by champions St Finbarr's against great rivals Nemo Rangers in a repeat of last year's Premier Senior decider. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Echo Sport Podcast crew reflect on the career of a genuine Leeside legend, Seamus Harnedy, and look at the few faces set to feature for the Cork hurlers in 2027 on this week's episode.
There's a detailed analysis of a bumper slate of Cork GAA hurling semi-finals on this week's Echo Sport Podcast.
The national spotlight was on Ireland's controversial clash with Israel but here on Leeside, the Cork GAA scene was in full swing.
The Echo Podcast crew review the quarter-final and relegation playoff weekend in the Cork GAA club hurling championships.