Cork GAA talking points: Footballers start with a win while hurlers await opener
Brian Hurley is likely to be reacquainted with Kerry full-back Jason Foley on Saturday. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
THE Return of the intercounty season – albeit in a pre-season format, brings the big games the entire country looks forward to.
While the McGrath Cup and Munster Hurling League are far from prestigious competitions, they provide young players a chance to make the step up – and there are countless prospects in both codes that Cork fans will be looking forward to seeing in action this coming year.
The Cork footballers kicked off their 2024 season with a win over Clare in the McGrath Cup pre-season competition, with debutant Darragh Cashman scoring an excellent long-range point and impressing throughout.
The Rebels managed two goals on the evening, courtesy of Conor Corbett and substitute Mark Cronin.
The Nemo man impressed from the bench, and partnering him with Corbett and Cashman, all three have shown they’ll be worth a look this year for John Cleary.
Clyda Rovers’ Corbett managed two goals in the National Football League Division 2 last year, before coming on as a sub against Louth in the All-Ireland Championship and getting a point from play.
He will certainly be pushing for a starting place in 2024.
While only a pre-season win over the Banner in Clarecastle, it was a bright start for Cleary as he looks to build on the progress made over the past couple of years.
Since Cleary took charge, the Rebels have managed back-to-back quarter-final appearances in the All-Ireland championship in 2022 and 2023. While going that stretch further to a semi-final might be too big of an ask this season, their improvement is a welcome one as our county football team get back on track.
The best way for any team to continue the upward trend is to add quality and energy in the pool of the players available, something the McGrath Cup gives Cleary a chance to do in 2024.
There’s no shortage of quality young footballers in the county, and the final McGrath Cup group game in Mallow against Waterford this Sunday is another opportunity to trial those on the fringes of the panel.
Another victory would send Cork into the final, where the Kingdom await.
Last week, Cork were scheduled to play Limerick on Sunday in Mallow in the Munster Hurling League, but severe fog ensured it was called off just before throw in. The game is yet to be rescheduled, while Cork's other MHL game against Clare will take place this Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Brion Saunderson was set to make his first start in goal for the seniors, and like the Canon O’Brien fixture with UCC, Ryan named another youthful side with many players who are on the fringes of the panel.
One of the best problems you can have as a manager in hurling is having too many players to pick from, and now more than ever, that’s the case for the Cork senior hurling team.
Pat Ryan is spoiled for choice among the current crop of Cork players, with the vast majority under the age of 24, who are all likely to further improve.
The step up from U20 to senior is huge, and not a leap that many other than Ciarán Joyce can take so lightly, but the inclusion of Micheál Mullins, Brion Saunderson and William Buckley in the panel shows that Ryan sees the trio in his long-term vision.
The blend of youth and experience at Cork's disposal put the team in a strong position for the next few years. It’s hard to not see the Rebel County mounting a genuine challenge for the All-Ireland title within the next three seasons.
The MHL and the National Hurling League provide the perfect opportunity for Ryan to put his rising stars to the test in preparation for the Munster Championship opener.
A camogie stick from the 1934 All-Ireland final that saw Cork defeat Louth, has gone on permanent display at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, in memory of Íde Bean Uí Shé.
Íde Bean Uí Shé (Íde Ní Choindealbháin) became an officer of Cork County Camogie Board in 1940 and later chairperson of the board in 1943.
The camogie stick also features the names of all the players from that final and was donated by Cian and Colm Ó Sé of Sunday’s Well.
Cork GAA and Stratkraft have partnered to lay down their commitment to a greener future.
A three-year partnership, the two organisations will promote Cork as a national hub for renewable energy generation.
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