The Echo Spot Podcast: Off-field issues cast shadow on busy Cork GAA weekend

On The Echo Sport Podcast this week, Denis Hurley and Barry O'Mahony join Éamonn Murphy to discuss the major talking points from a busy weekend of Cork GAA action despite the issues caused by Storm Bert.

Kilshanning suffered a disappointing home defeat to a very strong Austin Stacks outfit, favourites for the All-Ireland intermediate title, but a shadow was cast across their preparations after one of their players was involved in a serious accident in the days beforehand. 

Sport was put into stark perspective by events off the field.

Also away from the pitch, the Cork County Board ordered a replay of the Junior B Hurling semi-final between Aghabullogue and Kilbrittain. 

We look into that decision and what issues in the first game meant the West Cork club's victory didn't stand. 

Aghabullogue's second team delivered in the rematch and they'll be hoping their first team do the same against Kilworth in the long-delayed PIHC relegation decider.

We break down the latest U21 action in hurling and football. Shandrum's clinical free-taking proved the difference as they knocked out Ballincollig to set up a semi-final with city champions St Finbarr's while Valley Rovers beat Ballymartle in the Carrigdhoun decider on penalties.

Bad weather and the round-robin format has held up the East Cork Championship but whoever emerges, or is nominated, is due to take on the winners of Tuesday's Valleys and Newcestown quarter-final. 

In U21 football it's the battle of the B Specials: Ballinora v Bishopstown for the right to face Beara.

There are two Junior A football semi-finals on the horizon, delayed due to the Cork footballers' post-All-Ireland team holiday in Miami, where Castlemartyr meet Ballygarvan and Inniscarra take on Kilmacabea. Ciarán Joyce and Seán O'Donoghue will feature prominently there.

For hurling fanatics, Russell Rovers, Watergrasshill and Sarsfields all have Munster finals to look forward to, showing what an unseasonably busy December it is. The Junior A hurling final is on Saturday night with Tracton against Avondhu's Killavullen. With Kieran Kingston at the helm, Tracton are favourites but the Avondhu winners have great momentum.

The draws for the Cork club championships take place next Tuesday when thoughts will turn to 2025.

Before then, we're at the knockout phase of the Harty Cup and the final group games in the Corn Uí Mhuirí. Are Midleton CBS, Christians or the AG genuine Harty contenders and could a Cork school end the Kerry monopoly in the football?

You can find us every week on Echoline.ie/podcast and all the major podcast platforms.