Three hurlers to look out for with the Cork seniors in 2025

It may seem a little out of place to switch the focus to the inter-county picture with the club season still ongoing, but from a Cork perspective, there’s a lot to look forward to.

Granted, the All-Ireland defeat was deflating to say the least. Not only because it meant the wait from 2005 will continue, but because of the manner in which the Rebels were beaten.

Losing in extra time was always going to sting, and on top of that – after beating five-in-a-row chasing Limerick in the semi-final, it felt that Cork had overcome the hardest part of the task.

With the returning aim of course to win the Liam MacCarthy Cup, Pat Ryan and his management team will be looking for every edge they can find and it will be interesting to see how they approach the league.

Especially with what changes they make to the panel.

There are three different players to look out for this coming season – all for different reasons.

Robbie O’Flynn 

Robbie’s case is an interesting one.

He’s already a well-established hurler within the team, and the 26-year-old has shown on countless occasions what he brings to the table.

Yet his impact in 2024 was far from what we’ve come to expect – and that’s hardly his fault.

A significant hamstring injury against Tipperary in the 2023 championship put an end to his year not only for county, but for club. He made his return late in the year to help Erin’s Own’s second team to the Premier Junior title, which set him up nicely for 2024.

But another injury in the league deprived him of much needed game time, and it hampered his impact come championship.

It’s been a difficult year for the forward, primarily due to factors out of his control.

I’m keen to see how he’ll perform if he can stay injury fit, and the break from club matches will certainly be of benefit to O’Flynn.

I’m confident he’ll be back to his best next season – and when Robbie is at his best, he can easily be the difference for Cork.

Daire O’Leary 

The two time U20 All-Ireland and Munster winner has struggled to make the breakthrough with Cork, and he’s another player whose progress has been hampered by injuries.

But his performances with Watergrasshill and Imokilly this year have shown real promise.

There’s no doubt his game has improved immensely. It couldn’t have come at a better time for the 22-year-old.

If he is to get more game time with the Cork seniors in 2025, he will be competing for a starting spot in the area where Cork are arguably most stacked with talent.

Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman. Cork’s half-back line for the All-Ireland final.

That’s without mentioning the likes of Tim O’Mahony and Tommy O’Connell who have and can play in the wing-back positions.

Still though – his progress this year has been no joke. Not only has he transformed physically, but his distribution and power in the air have taken a huge step forward. As a hurler, he’s very similar to Joyce.

He’ll definitely get minutes – but just how many will depend on how he performs in the league.

Jack Leahy 

For the last pick – I’ve gone with Jack Leahy.

While the Dungourney man is yet to make his debut with the seniors, that day is swiftly approaching. He’s gone from strength to strength each year, but his 2024 performances have truly stood out.

Anyone in and around Dungourney knows just how talented he is, but the levels he reached with Imokilly this year proved he has a future with Cork.

He finished the PSHC with 3-45 across five games, 3-16 of that coming from play.

The quality of some of his scores were simply outrageous and at 20, he’s only going to get better. Leahy is also arguably the best free-taker in the county. 

I’m yet to find a hurler more clinical from dead-ball situations.

Whether it’s dealing with a swirling wind in Cobh against Ballincollig last year, or taking on the gale force breeze from the Premier Senior decider with Sars – his conversion rate remains the same.

His ability to find the target over and over while his opponents cannot, is precisely what sets him apart.

There is no ceiling to Leahy’s potential and what he can offer Cork in the coming years.