Is it a sign? Rebel baby Liam McCarthy turns 19 days, 19 years after Cork last won the Liam MacCarthy Cup

It’s the sort of coincidence that might make you think fate was trying to tell you something, but Cork last won the Liam MacCarthy Cup 19 years ago, in 2005, and newborn Bishopstown baby Liam McCarthy turns 19 days this Sunday.

“We already have our Liam McCarthy,” Liam’s parents said when Cork got into the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final, but on Sunday they’ll still be cheering for a Liam MacCarthy for everyone else in the Leeside audience.

Liam and his twin sister Rosie were supposed to be born on July 4, but - perhaps in the buildup to Sunday’s All-Ireland - they decided to arrive two days early and see what all the fuss was about.

Liam and Rosie’s mam, Rachel Gardiner, from Bishopstown, said she and her partner Killian thought the coincidence of Liam’s name and the number 19 had to mean Liam was a sign of good things to come.

“Myself and my partner, we realised above in the hospital after the semi-final that it’ll be 19 years since Cork last won, and he’ll be 19 days, so he’ll be a good luck charm,” she told The Echo.

Ms Gardiner said she and her partner Killian will be watching the big match and the excitement is building in their home, just as it is all across the city and county.

Asked if she and her partner were hurling mad, Ms Gardiner replied diplomatically: “Him now more than me”.

She said the twins are very good babies, but she has noticed that Rosie is definitely the boss, with Liam a little more placid. That may change if Liam turns out to be Cork’s youngest good luck charm.

Rebel babies Liam and Rosie will be having their own Liam MacCarthy party on Sunday, and - if all goes to plan for the Cork team - so will the rest of the city and county.