The Echo Sport Podcast: From WhatsApp rumours to a return to action for Cork hurlers

The Cork club championships are back, which offers some respite from the fallout since the hurlers' calamitous second-half collapse to Tipperary.

As if the pain of that defeat at Croke Park wasn't enough for Rebels, the aftermath saw a series of WhatsApp messages circulate claiming to explain the performance away through a fallout between the players. 

Everyone seemed to overlook the fact Cork were six points up against Tipp at the break. And that any county team that makes it to consecutive All-Ireland finals has to be united.

On this week's podcast, we talk about the damage done by the rumours and look at how the hurlers who featured in club football action fared, including Brian Hayes and Damien Cahalane.

We review all the weekend football action, from Premier Senior, where Ballincollig, Mallow and Clon missed out on opportunities to upset the big three of Nemo, Castlehaven and the Barrs, all the way down to Premier Junior, where Canovee lived up to their billing of favourites. 

Plus a shoutout to Cork All-Ireland winners Donncha O'Connor and Pearse O'Neill, still delivering for Ballydesmond and Aghada in their mid-40s.

There's a preview of all the club hurling action which throws in this Thursday with the Premier Intermediate Hurling clash of Castlemartyr and Kilworth. They're in a ferocious group with Ballinhassig and Ballincollig but there are cracking clashes across all the grades.

DEPTH

The spotlight will be on the Glen Rovers in the top tier as they return to the mix for the Seán Óg Murphy Cup with Mícheál Mullins added to the squad. Sars are the form team on the basis of the league while Imokilly are the holders. 

Then you've St Finbarr's, Midleton and more.

At Senior A, Blarney and Bride Rovers renew their modern rivalry in another competition where it's very hard to pick a victor.

Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy will be joined by The Echo team including Barry O'Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.

You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast