Cork footballers frustrate fans in Killarney but hurlers show true grit.

Munster hurling final preview, can Cork beat Limerick again?

It's the calm before the storm as The Echo Sport Podcast crew previews the Munster hurling final. If it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt, then we are in for a fiery battle by the Lee on Sunday as Cork and Limerick collide for the fifth time this season, going back to the preseason Munster Hurling League. The Treaty had the upper hand in the first three meetings while Cork snatched a narrow win in April when the absence of Aaron Gillane and the dismissal of Cian Lynch were major factors. This time, Cork have home advantage again but are without Ciarán Joyce and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon against a full-strength Limerick. On that basis, John Kiely's charges are favourites, even if Cork haven't lost a game in league or championship in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in two years. The Rebels have an excellent record against Limerick, with four championship wins across the last three seasons but Fitzgibbon was Man of the Match in three of those, which underlines what a loss he is. In contrast, Dan Morrissey is back and will be tasked with outmuscling Brian Hayes. Still, Cork will tear into it with the pressure off in many ways, as the losers will still be expected to beat Offaly to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals. KEY QUESTIONS: Can the younger guns like William Buckley, Barry Walsh and Diarmuid Healy fire in Fitzie's absence though? Who will be able to handle Gillane, who smashed two goals against Waterford? Can in-form Mark Coleman, Rob Downey, Tim O'Mahony and Shane Barrett offer match-winning leadership? There's also a discussion on Patrick Horgan's reaction to Ben O'Connor's comments on Cork's work-rate. At minor level, the U17s were brilliant at times in their All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Kilkenny. They now join Tipp, Limerick and Galway in the last four. At club level, there's a look at the stage of play across the hurling leagues, with Midleton and Sars on course to meet in the Division 1 decider. The minor footballers are back in action this weekend, taking on Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final. 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What a week to be a Cork GAA fan!

The Echo Sport Podcast crew are in high spirits to discuss a memorable run of hurling and football games with the footballers roaring back to beat Meath, the minors lifting the Munster title and hurling wins at minor and senior level. 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. Keith Ricken's minor footballers didn't get any help from the weather gods as they overcame driving rain and a Kerry side determined to show their heavy loss in the round-robin was a freak result. It wasn't always pretty but it was certainly gutsy for the young Rebels, who held on in extra time at rain-swept Páirc Uí Rinn. To cap it off, captain Joe Miskella delivered his speech as Gaeilge. Ar fheahas! The seniors also had to dig deep, albeit in sun-sorched conditions, in the opening round of the All-Ireland series, gaining a modicum of revenge for the league final loss to Meath. Eight points down at half-time and then reduced to 14 men after a harsh red card for Colm O'Callaghan, the backing of the home support definitely made a difference as Steven Sherlock shot the lights out. Defenders Tommy Walsh and Daniel O'Mahony were also magnificent and now the summer opens up for John Cleary's side, who are one win away from a first quarter-final in three seasons. The late Johnny Carroll, a Munster-winning Cork footballer, county-winning player with Dohenys and Carbery and county-winning selector with Ballincollig, would have enjoyed those two games. The hurlers return to the Munster final as defending champions after becoming the first county since Tipperary in 2019 to win all four group games. We expected a classic in the Páirc on Sunday but despite the glorious weather, we got nothing of the sort. Clare couldn't replicate the intensity they brought to their victory over Tipp a week earlier, with the Downeys, Niall O'Leary, William Buckley and Brian Hayes leading Cork's charge. Next up is yet another Limerick showdown. The minors had to come from six points down with time running out to beat Wexford and make the All-Ireland quarter-final, as Bobby Power top-scored, captain Eoin Considine swapped from wing-back to full-forward to snatch a goal and sub Sam McCarthy, son of Timmy, grabbed 1-2. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How will Cork hurlers cope in Darragh Fitzgibbon's absence

The Echo Sport Podcast crew is back to discuss another bumper weekend of Cork GAA action. 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. While neither of the senior teams were in action over the weekend, it didn't prevent the hurlers from hogging the headlines. The news that Darragh Fitzgibbon will miss the rest of the Munster series due to an operation is just the latest blow after injuries to Rob Downey and Ciarán Joyce and another hamstring issue for the luckless Robbie O'Flynn. Results over the weekend which saw Limerick beat Waterford and Clare put Tipp to the sword probably didn't lift the mood either, as it reinforced what a disaster the All-Ireland final loss last July was while keeping the Banner in the mix for the provincial silverware. If Cork are beaten by four points or more against Clare next Sunday and Limerick get the better of already eliminated Waterford, then it's a Limerick-Clare Munster final. Now some fans would argue it would be benficial to avoid another showdown with the Treaty, Cork have won three games on the bounce and will be keen to preserve their unbeaten record in the Páirc going back to the Clare loss in April 2024. Barry Walsh is the obvious option to start with Darragh Fitz out but could Cork go with Eoin Downey centre-back to restore Tim O'Mahony at midfield and bring Cormac O'Brien in on the wing? How the players fared in last Saturday's A v B game at Fota Island will dictate the management's approach. At club level, Declan Dalton offered a reminder of his class by nailing 0-12 in Fr O'Neill's win over St Finbarr's. Has he a chance of forcing his way back into the match-day 26? On the football front, Cork host Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening, where they'll need to perform better and more consistently across the 70-plus minutes than they did in Killarney. A fully fit Dara Sheedy would add some needed creativity to the half-forward line. Even if they lose, John Cleary's side will have another shot at the qualifiers in the losers round but beating Meath is essential if they're to make a realistic push for the latter stages of the All-Ireland series. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Cork footballers frustrate fans in Killarney but hurlers show true grit.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew is back to discuss another bumper weekend of Cork GAA action. Starting on the front foot, the hurlers got the job done away to Waterford, in a tough and tight battle down east. It makes it three wins on the bounce for the hurlers and given they were without defensive pillars Rob Downey and Ciarán Joyce, the victory in Walsh Park was hugely satisfying, even if it took all their grit and experience to prevail. The black cards had a huge bearing on the game and there's no doubt the Déise had every right to feel aggrieved. The first against Mark Fitzgerald on Brian Hayes was a marginal call though probably worked out well for them, given Alan Connolly's goal was ruled out for a penalty that he then missed. Plus Waterford scored Cork in the next 10 minutes. The decision against Jack Fagan also looked harsh, given there was a covering defender and the penalty, buried by Mark Coleman, opened up the four-point gap that stood at the final whistle. Cork though, could only worry about themselves and had they failed to win would have been left to rue the wide count of 12 to just three, and none in the second half, for Waterford. Cork have one foot in the Munster final before the last group game with Clare but we outline the scenario where the Rebels finish third on scoring difference, however unlikely that looks. Unfortunately, the Munster football final went the way of so many disappointing days in Fitzgerald Stadium since the last success, way back in 1995. It's now 14 years and counting since Cork collected the provincial title and they simply didn't make enough to the strong wind in the first half in Killarney to upset the odds this time. Goal-scorer Brian O'Driscoll was superb but none of the other Rebels were in the Man of the Match conversation. To have any hope, they needed the core of the team to catch fire. Up front Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones combined for 0-6 but there wasn't enough creativity in a front six missing Dara Sheedy and Brian Hurley. At the other end, not alone did David Clifford slam over 1-6, Tony Brosnan popped off the bench to shoot five points. The challenge now is to park it up and reset for Meath on Saturday week. 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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How do Cork hurlers solve their injury issues and can footballers finally beat Kerry?

It's a bumper weekend ahead for Cork GAA and The Echo Sport Podcast crew discuss the key games against Waterford and Kerry. 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. First up on Saturday evening, the hurlers travel to Walsh Park, where they were beaten two years ago, looking to seal their spot in the All-Ireland series with a game to spare.  The loss of Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey to injury destablises the defence and poses a few selection headaches for Ben O'Connor and his selectors. Do they rejig the team, bringing Tim O'Mahony to the half-back line and Darragh Fitzgibbon to midfield, given they have stronger forward options in reserve? Or do they look to the experience of Damien Cahalane and Ger Millerick to fill in? There's also Daire O'Leary and Micheál Mullins in reserve, who featured in the league, or Cormac O'Brien who started last year's league and Munster finals. Having beaten Tipp and Limerick, the Rebels are moving well but their hosts this weekend will also fancy their chances and must win to save their season. On Sunday, the footballers travel over the county bounds looking for a first victory on enemy territory in 31 years and to land an overdue Munster title, bridging a gap to 2012. John Cleary must plan without veteran forward Brian Hurley but the vibes are good coming out of the camp before the clash. Kerry have a pile of injuries of their own but they still possess two of the deadliest forwards in the game in David and Paudie Clifford. Getting the match-ups right here will be crucial to Cork's prospects. The Echo panel also discuss the latest underage action, including fine performances by the minors in both codes and a cracking Munster U20 final which saw Cork come up just short.  For the U20 hurlers, Barry Walsh was electric in beating Clare but now they must face them again in the provincial semi-final and he could be tied up with the seniors... Which game is more important and if he's out how will the U20s adapt? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.