Show Notes
Cork hurlers were fully deserving winners in their Munster opener in Thurles.
The Echo Podcast crew break down the big game and look ahead to round two against Limerick.
After a tight first half on Sunday, they dominated the second period, scored more from play and had better balance up front than a Tipp side who didn't fire at all in comparison to the electric All-Ireland final efforts.
For Cork, it doesn't atone for losing in Croke on any level really, but it puts them on the front foot for 2026, which is all that matters right now.
Debutants Barry Walsh and William had 0-10 between them but the defensive solidity provided by the likes of Rob Downey, Niall O'Leary and Seán O'Donoghue, who have been heavily questioned in recent weeks, was just as important. Patrick Collins varied his puck-outs well and was another who is often doubted inside the county bounds.
Of course, as Ben O'Connor pointed out afterwards at the weekend, there's no benefit in getting too excited about a single victory when you could still fail to even make it out of the provincial bearpit: "Limerick are the best team in the country for the last 10 years and we know that we'll have to do our best to put it up to them next weekend.”
We preview the second showdown with the Treaty in the space of three weeks. Who marks Aaron Gillane, Gearóid Hegarty and Cathal O'Neill and will Cork get anything like the space they were afforded by the Tipp half-back line, who coughed up 0-12 from play? It only gets tougher from here on!
There's also the latest on the Cork minor and U20 games and a round-up of the club hurling leagues, with Midleton and Erin's Own out in front in the top two divisions.
There's a review of the Cork U20s' terrific win over Kerry in the Páirc. It was no classic but a significant result given their underage struggles against the rivals and given Dara Sheedy went off injured in the first half.
The seniors have a Munster semi-final next Saturday, up in Thurles again in what will be a low-profile affair but where a strong performance will be expected to set up a trip to Kerry at the start of May.
Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.
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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.