Top eight teams across Cork hurling in 2024
Alan Bowen, Erins Own getting his goal despite the efforts of Lisgoold players Ciaran Cronin, Jason Hegarty and Diarmuid Healy during the Co-Op Superstores Intermediate A Hurling Championship final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan
It was a hurling season were some went about their business as expected while others sprung the surprise, but there’s no shortage of teams that were extremely impressive.
There is no way to accurately rank them all in one pool – given the gulf in quality between the grades, but by factoring in pre-season expectation, it can be gauged.
Subjective rankings are never straightforward, but which eight teams stood out the most in 2024 for the right reasons?
While unfortunately the double proved to be too great an ask, Carrigaline had a hugely successful season in both codes. After finishing bottom of their PIHC group last year and relegating Bandon, few would have expected the team to swing around and make it to the final.
They should have had the quality to avoid the playoff last year, but that doesn’t take away from the fact they navigated a tricky group and made it all the way to the final, narrowly losing out to Watergrasshill.
It feels odd to include what is undoubtedly a top Premier Senior hurling side on paper for their performances in the grade below, but it’s hard to argue with the Glen’s perfect record.
It wasn’t a fluke, and they proved that with each game. The northsiders were unstoppable.
You can certainly argue that was the expectation going into the season – but barring the semi-final win over Castlelyons, they were flawless. That was largely without the services of Patrick Horgan too, and they deserve credit for the manner in which they delivered.
Lisgoold certainly boast a strong squad in many areas, but their performances in 2024 were top tier.
Three very convincing group wins saw them through to a semi-final and while in many aspects they were fortunate on the day – the east Cork club did enough to get over Ballygiblin, and then Erin’s Own at the second time of asking to gain promotion to the Premier Intermediate grade.
Another side who turned a group stage exit to a final appearance in the space of a year – Rovers take seventh spot for their excellent PJHC win. It’s a grade that is always closely fought, and having been beaten by rivals St Catherine’s last year, they got revenge on the day this season in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
That PSHC final was disappointing for Sars. After winning it last year the target was always going to be retaining the title, and they failed.
That being said, their scoring spread, the quality across all areas of the pitch – the Riverstown side were in a league of their own when compared with the other club sides. It’s just unfortunate that Imokilly were a step above that.
In many ways they were better this year than last, just not in the final, where it matters most.
That leaves the champions to take the first podium spot. It has to be said Imokilly have an outrageously strong squad on paper. Their depth is incomparable to any team in Cork.
While that will change with the loss of the Watergrasshill contingent, their performances in 2024 were breathtaking.
Dominant victories in the divisions/colleges section preceded equally impressive performances in the knockouts. Deserved winners, who showed their class throughout.
Watergrasshill had been underperforming. Last year in particular that seemed the case with their group stage elimination.
The return of former Tipperary star Eddie Enright as manager has played a huge role in that – but the team have shown real progression this year.
There was a confidence in distribution, a sharpness in movement and a composure under pressure that was absent last year. They turned things around dramatically in 2024, and could still win a Munster title.
Is it fair to place a beaten finalist at the number one spot? In the case of Erin’s Own’s second team, there’s no denying that they’re punching above their weight. The question is how hard?
Erin’s Own will feel in many ways they’re not. They’ve shown year after year they can give anyone a go. It’s why they’ve ascended two grades in two years. It’s why they very nearly made it three from three.
It took a heavy favourite in Lisgoold a replay to put the Caherlag side to bed, who were phenomenal again this year. There on merit yes, but still levels beyond where they rank on paper.
Whether momentum will dry up or not remains to be seen. They could very easily be back in the conversation, but if they fall away – it would show just how incredible this group of players have performed.
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