Cork is ‘owed nothing’ by hurling team says lord mayor 

Cork is owed nothing by its senior hurling team, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Fianna Fáil city councillor Fergal Dennehy, has said.

There has been some disappointment at the decision not to hold a homecoming for the hurling team after their decisive 3-27 to 1-18 All-Ireland final defeat at the hands of Tipperary on Sunday.

A statement issued on Monday morning by Cork GAA said: “At the request of the team and management, there is no event planned for the return of the Cork hurlers this evening. They would again like to thank all the entire county for their unwavering support throughout the year.” 

The team arrived back in Kent station on Monday afternoon, leaving quietly on the Dean side of the station, with no cheering crowds to greet them, no banners unfurled, and only a few lonesome red-and-white flags on display.

As far as Leeside’s first citizen was concerned, the people of Cork had chosen to respect the team’s wishes and there would be time enough for acknowledgements later.

“They owe us nothing. They have served us well this season, they have won the Munster final, they have won the league, they have had an incredible achievement,” 

Mr Dennehy said.

“We have all supported the team in our droves all year, and now it is time support them again and respect their wish for time and space on this occasion.” 

Mr Dennehy added that “perhaps when the dust settles” some thought might be given to acknowledging the Cork team’s achievements, “but there’s time enough for that,” he said.

Church and State were of one voice on De Banks on Monday, with Bishop Emeritus John Buckley of Cork and Ross saying nobody could know the sacrifices the young athletes had made for their county over the past 12 months.

“Let us not forget the great joy and happiness those young men have brought to us, particularly to those in hospitals, and the Cork exiles abroad,” he said.

“And let us not forget the management, either. They devoted so much of their time to train and coaching these fellas.

“I know some of the players would come from work to train, without having a dinner or a meal.

“No-one knows the work that has been done, and they all deserve our thanks today.” 

Meanwhile, RTÉ has said that the All Ireland Hurling Final drew an average TV audience of 980,000 viewers, with 78% of the available audience tuning-in, while viewership peaked at 1,119,000 towards the end of the game.