'Children can dream again', says Taoiseach ahead of Cork hurlers' date with destiny

Children across the city and county can dream again, thanks to Cork’s senior hurlers, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Speaking to reporters in Ringakiddy on Friday, Mr Martin declined to make any predictions about the match, saying he did not wish to put pressure on the Cork team.

“I think it has been a wonderful year of hurling so far. It has been joyful to witness the extraordinary Cork crowds who have attended every game,” he said.

The Cork team had proven themselves in terms of their resilience after last year’s “heartbreaking” result, Mr Martin said.

"It was a wonderful year but they just came up short at the end," he said.

“I hope for the players they will want to do it for themselves. They put huge effort in - to be an inter-county player today requires incredible sacrifice from themselves, their families and their partners.

“Again, particularly the players we all know - the household names - who in my view deserve to have an All-Ireland medal, we wish the very best for them.

“It is wonderful to see the young people and children dream again - we all remember from our own young days the iconic images of a particular captain lifting a cup,” the Taoiseach added.

“What it brings to a city and county, I have no doubt that Sunday will enable many more young people to dream that someday they will be in Croke Park in an All-Ireland final.

“That is the magic of it. It is just beautiful to witness it," he said.