Munster Hurling: Patrick Horgan was Cork's top scorer again but strong spread of options key

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025 - 12:55

Eamonn Murphy

He turned 37 last month but Patrick Horgan once again finished the Munster Championship as Cork's top-scorer.

His status as the primary free-taker, even if he wasn't quite as clinical as usual in recent games, put him comfortably ahead of Brian Hayes in the scoring charts across four group games and the provincial final. Horgan fired 3-42, with 2-10 of that from play, with Hayes on 3-7.

Hayes had 5-8 in the league for good measure and also set up eight goals across the two competitions.

His form at Croke Park will be critical to Cork's prospects.

Declan Dalton celebrates his goal with Brian Hayes against Tipperary. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The next highest scorer was Seamus Harnedy who tallied 0-13 after starting four matches and coming on at half-time in the hammering at the hands of Limerick.

Shane Barrett is just behind on 1-9 though he missed the Tipp victory through suspension. His form picked up after being restored to the number 11 role was a Man of the Match contender in the Munster final.

Darragh Fitzgibbon is Cork's fifth-highest scorer in the championship with 0-11, eight from play.

Darragh Fitzgibbon shoots from Waterford's Jack Prendergast. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Back in the league the Charleville club man, who has started every game since January, topped the scoring charts with 2-34. He operated at centre- or wing-forward for much of the spring and the first three Munster ties.

Of that 2-34 in the league, 0-18 came from placed balls and Cork needed his accuracy from a 65 to send the provincial final to penalties, with Horgan and Dalton not on the field. Horgan was just behind Fitzgibbon in the league with 1-32, 1-10 from play.

Getting Dalton back fit and firing for the All-Ireland semi-final would be a huge boost.

In the league, he blasted 3-13 despite missing two games after a red card in Wexford.

He has 1-7 in championship, all bar one point of that in his Man of the Match showing against Tipp though the other score was the late, late free to force a draw in Clare. Dalton hasn't featured since coming off early against Limerick.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCORERS:

Patrick Horgan 3-42 (1-31 f, 0-1 65);

Brian Hayes 3-7;

Seamus Harnedy 0-13;

Shane Barrett 1-9;

Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-11 (0-2 f, 0-1 65);

Declan Dalton 1-7 (0-3 f);

Alan Connolly 1-7;

Tim O'Mahony 1-4;

Shane Kingston 0-4;

Diarmuid Healy 0-4;

Conor Lehane 0-3;