Show Notes
The Echo Sport Podcast crew reflect on how the inter-county season panned out across both codes before we launch into a bumper three-and-a-half months of the best club action in the country.
With just one All-Ireland final reached, even if it did see the minor footballers rally from nine points down to wrestle the Tommy Markham Cup from Tyrone in a stone-cold classic, the 2026 campaign has to be classed as a disappointment.
Keith Ricken's U17 side were also the only Cork team to lift a Munster title, with the minor and U20 hurlers losing provincial semi-finals and the two senior teams falling to their great rivals Limerick and Kerry. It's no coincidence that those two counties are now in the All-Ireland final and firm favourites to return with the biggest prizes of them all.
The most galling disappointment was the hurlers' heavy defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. Here on the podcast, we were extremely wary of the Tribe threat, given their excellence in the Munster final and how fortunate Cork had been to beat them in the league, but certainly it was a massive upset and particularly cruel on the Rebel faithful who had to witness another second-half fadeout.
On this show, we ask the key questions that Cork will have to answer from here. We look at what young players could be brought in to add further depth to the squad, with Timmy Wilk and Jack Leahy among the standouts. We also discuss how the Rebels can change their tactical approach and if there's an outside coach Ben O'Connor could add to his backroom.
On the football front, reaching an All-Ireland quarter-final and gaining promotion was certainly progress but there's a feeling of a missed opportunity after seeing Mayo power past Louth into a showdown with Kerry. John Cleary's side had enough chances to defeat the Connacht side two weeks ago.
At the same time, they still need to mix up their approach on the pitch, look to feed their forwards a bit quicker when they're on top in midfield and a find a couple of scoring options for an attack that relies too heavily on Steven Sherlock and Chris Óg Jones.
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 the best inter-county analysis including Dalo's Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. 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.