'I believe there is a Diarmuid Healy and a Séamus Harnedy somewhere in Carbery as well' 

Cork’s All-Ireland hurling final qualification has generated renewed interest and optimism for hurling’s future in rural and football-dominated areas like West Cork.

It is fair to say that the Cork hurlers journey to another All-Ireland SHC final has captured the imagination of Rebel supporters inside and outside the county bounds.

The sports-mad West Cork region is no different.

Carbery is a proud GAA enclave, synonymous with football and hurling, although better known for the former.

In an era the Colleges and Divisions sections of Cork’s Premier Senior championships remain under intense scrutiny, Carbery continues to field representative teams in both codes. 

A proud tradition has delivered senior county championship successes in football (1937, 1968, 1971 and 2004) as well as hurling (1994).

Yet, no one knows the difficulties of keeping divisional football and hurling alive in 2025 more than current Carbery GAA chairman David Whyte. He is also the Carbery division’s senior hurling manager.

The positive effect of the Cork hurlers’ 2025 National League and provincial triumphs, along with qualification for a second consecutive All-Ireland decider, can be seen throughout the playing fields of West Cork. 

Every pitch you visit over the past couple of months, either for a training session or match, contains an increasing number of schoolboys and schoolgirls wearing the Cork jersey and pucking a sliotar amongst friends.

It is against this backdrop that Whyte hopes his division can capitalise on their county’s senior hurlers' positive run and build a foundation for future success.

Yet, the first and most important question is does he have a ticket for Croke Park?

“I have a train ticket if that’s any good to you, laughed Whyte. “Look, it is great to see Cork doing so well and great to see the Rebels back in another All-Ireland senior hurling final.

“I suppose, especially since the Muster final win over Limerick, if you go around to different West Cork pitches, which I have over the last couple of weeks, there’s a lot more young fellas out with hurleys pucking around and playing hurling.

“Over the last number of years, traditionally, Carbery was noted as a football division. 

"Hurling has gotten much stronger in recent years though. Many of our clubs are doing well in their county championships, including Newcestown, who won a Senior A double only two years ago.

PROUD

“That’s why we are very proud of Luke Meade (Newcestown), Damien Cahalane and Jack Cahalane [Castlehaven in football and St Finbarr’s in hurling] here in West Cork. 

"They are part of the Cork senior hurling panel and role models for any up-and-coming players in the Carbery division. Those lads are very generous with their time when it comes to presenting medals for our underage clubs. 

They have become even bigger role models now that they are heading to another All-Ireland final with Cork.

“Then you have other clubs like Bandon, Kilbrittain, Argideen Rangers, Barryroe, St Mary’s and Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas, all West Cork hurling strongholds, who are also doing well. 

"So, the hope is that Cork’s success will keep interest in hurling alive in those, and other West Cork clubs, this year and into the future.” 

As Carbery’s senior hurling manager, David Whyte is adamant that divisions have an important role to play in Cork hurling’s future. 

Whyte backs up his argument by pointing to some of Pat Ryan’s current inter-county squad members who benefitted from representing their division in Cork’s Premier SHC.

“Take the likes of Diarmuid Healy or Séamus Harnedy, they represented their division, Imokilly, in the senior county championship and look where they are today, preparing for an All-Ireland final with Cork,” the Carbery GAA Chairman added.

I believe there is a Diarmuid Healy and there is a Séamus Harnedy somewhere in Carbery as well. 

"It is the Colleges and Division competition that showcases hurlers at intermediate or even junior level. That’s why I remain a firm believer that divisional football and hurling is vitally important for players who might not otherwise be seen.

PLATFORM

“Divisional hurling is an important platform for players. Imokilly’s Diarmuid Healy and Séamus Harnedy are proof of that.

“I recently spoke to Brian O’Driscoll about this very subject as he is one of the Cork seniors most consistent footballers. 

"Brian would say to you, when he was playing with Tadhg MacCarthaigh, that it was his performances for the Carbery division that first got him noticed and eventually on to John Cleary’s inter-county squad. 

"Getting to represent Cork came from playing well for his club, number one, and his division, number two.”