Cork v Tipp: Elite experience but a burning sense All-Ireland wait has gone on too long

After Dublin’s victory over Limerick, the narrative quickly shifted to the All-Ireland SHC droughts still standing. One of the remaining four teams was guaranteed to end a long wait. Dublin’s dated back furthest, followed by Cork, Kilkenny and then Tipperary – who last lifted the Liam MacCarthy in 2019.

Of the Tipperary team that defeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final in 2019, seven featured in their win over Kilkenny almost a fortnight ago.

From that 2019 Tipperary side that beat Kilkenny in the final, seven featured again in their semi-final win over the same opposition just under a fortnight ago.

Ronan Maher, Michael Breen, John McGrath, and Jason Forde are the four who started both matches against Kilkenny. 

Maher has been superb this season, putting in an excellent shift on TJ Reid last time out. John McGrath’s form has been immense. Breen slotted in well at wing-back, while Forde remains a model of consistency.

Willie Connors and Jake Morris were subs in the 2019 final but are now nailed-on starters, having been central to Tipp’s run this year. Noel McGrath, who started in 2019, was sprung from the bench in this year’s semi-final.

Add Séamus Kennedy – a 2019 starter and unused sub in 2025 – and you’ve got eight players with All-Ireland final-winning experience. Cork, by contrast, have none.

THE WAITING 

For Cork, this is a shot at redemption on a generational scale. Only three players remain from their 2013 final loss to Clare: Séamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan and Conor Lehane. Harnedy and Horgan also started in the 2021 defeat; all three were there again last year. Now, they face a fourth attempt.

If Cork don’t win this weekend, the question looms: how many more chances will this trio get?

There’s widespread sentiment that Horgan, in particular, deserves one. But this goes beyond just one man. For the trio who endured that first heartbreak 12 years ago, it would be a remarkable full-circle moment to finally lift the cup.

HEARTBREAK 

Plenty more in the current Cork panel have known only the pain of falling short on All-Ireland final day.

Patrick Collins, Niall O’Leary, Seán O’Donoghue, Robert Downey, Tim O’Mahony, Mark Coleman, and Darragh Fitzgibbon all started in the 2021 and 2024 finals, and were in the XV again against Dublin.

That group already has elite experience – and a burning sense that this wait has gone on too long.

Then add Luke Meade, Shane Kingston, Jack O’Connor, Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Barrett, Damien Cahalane, and Declan Dalton. Seven more players who have fallen twice at the last hurdle.

Ciarán Joyce, Eoin Downey, Alan Connolly, and Brian Hayes have one final defeat each to their names. None will want to double that tally.

ONE LAST PUSH 

In some ways, the stars have aligned. Cork’s age profile is perfectly balanced: hardened veterans, leaders in their prime, and a wave of underage All-Ireland winners now stepping up.

Harnedy, Horgan, and Lehane from 2013. Kingston, Coleman, and Fitzgibbon – the emerging core in 2021, now central figures. And the younger brigade: Eoin Downey, Ethan Twomey, Ciarán Joyce, Brian Hayes – all part of the 2021 U20 All-Ireland winning side.

On paper, this is one of Cork’s strongest teams in years. Between them, they’ve seen too many All-Ireland final losses. This is their chance to atone, not just for themselves, but for the managers, the players who came before, and the fans who have travelled every corner of the country in hope.

The last All-Ireland title was in 2005. The wait has never been longer. This weekend is about more than a trophy.

It’s about finally putting the years of hurt to rest.