Hurlers collapse offset by minor marvels and Cork fans don't deserve any flak.
The Echo Sport PodcastShow Notes
The Echo Sport Podcast crew go from the high of an epic All-Ireland minor final victory to the low of another Croke Park hurling collapse on the show this week as the inter-county season, from a Cork perspective, concludes.
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 where you get your podcasts.
The minor footballers gave the whole county a badly needed lift with a sensational comeback on Sunday. Down by nine points early in the second half at Newbridge and being outplayed by a slick Ulster side who landed the title last season, they gritted their teeth and delivered the massive scores to get them over the line.
A massive Cork crowd more than played its part as a three-point salvo from Joe Miskella and a goal by sub Alex O'Herlihy sparked the Rebel revival. Keeper Rory Twohig and wing-back Éanna Lynch made goal-saving stops and an injury-time 1-1 from Eoin Ahern and Tom Whooley saw Cork snatch the title. Gabriel Oronsaye also had a stormer off the bench.
It was a masterclass from manager Keith Ricken, whose experience ensured the young guns never stopped firing even when the cause looked lost.
On another bitterly disappointing outing to Croker, the hurlers certainly didn't shoot the lights, aside from Brian Hayes, as they failed to build on a 1-12 to 1-7 advantage against a ravenous Galway.
The Leinster champions got on top just before half-time and squeezed the life out of Cork in the second half, where Ben O'Connor's side managed just six points, even if they did chase goals late on.
Their inability to win long puck-outs, losing nine of the 11 they attempted in the second half, meant they had no platform at all to get in behind Galway's defensive structure and they took just six shots outside of the 45. In the first half, a patient approach paid off but when Galway gathered momentum, Cork fell apart, not helped by Darragh Fitzgibbon's red card.
It leaves huge questions now for the players and management, with supporters particularly bewildered by William Buckley falling down the pecking order.
The big question is, where to from here after being leading contenders for three years running without landing the big prize? 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.