‘Those three goals were magic’: Cork fans celebrate league win

The Rebel Army marched to victory, as Cork claimed the Allianz Hurling League final title on home ground for the first time in nearly 30 years.

After the bitter disappointment of last year’s All Ireland final loss against Clare, and five league final defeats since they last won the secondary competition in 1998, Cork made no mistake yesterday afternoon.

As match favourites, Cork fans were out in force at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at the sold-out game.

Cork’s hurlers did a lot of the work early, having scored three goals in the opening half of the game, forcing the Premier side to chase the game.

Tickets for the game were like “gold dust”, but this ceased to stop Cork supporters as a sea of red flowed in through the gates of the Marina Park and continued to line the stands and terraces of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Ahead of the game, Macroom man Michael Hennessy explained how he clenched a golden ticket in the nick of time.

“I had problems getting tickets alright. I was on the phone to anyone I knew that would be in GAA sphere.

“They were like gold dust because they sold out so quickly but thankfully, I got one from a friend yesterday. So, it was tight but I got there in the end.”

George French of Bishopstown echoed the ticketing concerns.

“The publicity around the ticket sales weren’t very good in my opinion. They kind of just went on sale with no big announcement about it. My friend got them thankfully and we are in at the stands.”

Mr French had high hopes for the game, already celebrating a Cork win even before Amhrán na bhFiann was sang: “It will be a high scorer I would say. I’m guessing maybe 2-26 to 1-20 in the end. My girlfriend is from Tipp and I hate to say it, I can’t see them winning.”

Hoping for a miracle, Maria O’Connor stood outside SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with a sign saying ‘will swap city end ticket for north stand’.

Speaking to The Echo Mrs O’Connor of Dublin Hill explained: “We had major issues trying to get tickets. My husband got himself and our daughter tickets for the north stand but couldn’t get a third.

“Finally, I ended up grabbing a third ticket but it was on the city end terrace. I’m a woman of 50-plus years so standing that long wouldn’t be up my alley so I’m here now hoping that someone will take some sympathy on me and swap tickets. The likelihood is low but if you don’t try you won’t know I suppose.”

As the final whistle blew, crowning Cork as the winners, the green pitch bled red as Cork supporters flowed onto the field.

Cork fans sang out in pride as they celebrated their team’s win.

“It was a great day out, especially to welcome home the win on home turf. Cork were always the favourites to win but to be fair to Tipp they stayed on the ball throughout but at the end of the day the score board showed a clear winner,” said Cloyne native Mark Kelliher.

Clodagh Sweeney from Castletownbere said: “You can only hope that this isn’t the end of the title winning for Cork. We were all heartbroken last year in Croke Park so you can only hope that the Reds won’t let the momentum drop here.

“There’s a fear the hype was too high but they proved that they weren’t all talk.”

For long-time Cork supporters, witnessing the historic win was possibly a once in a lifetime experience.

Joseph Costigan of Blackrock said: “Those three goals were magic. I’d say the ground shook at the rate I jumped out of the chair me landed back down when that final whistle went.

“It means that bit more to win it at home too. They did the damage in the first half and that was the game done.” 

It was also a day to remember for the younger generation.

“I got to run my jersey signed by Patrick Horgan after the game,” seven-year-old Patrick Gibbons told The Echo as he brandished his newly autographed Cork jersey with pride.

Now, Cork and its supporters look forward to the Munster Championship and All Ireland where they hope that they can emerge victorious and carry the Liam McCarthy home to the Leeside.