Cork GAA: Club hurling talking points as championship throws in

How will the Cork inter-county hurlers fare?

Tipperary’s second-half destruction of Cork to claim their first All-Ireland since 2019 still stings.

As bad as dealing with the aftermath of a 3-27 to 1-18 defeat and second consecutive All-Ireland final loss has been for supporters, spare a thought for the players.

Perhaps getting back out onto the pitch and stuck into club action is exactly what Cork’s players need. That scenario is about to become a reality as the opening rounds of the Co-Op Superstores hurling championships swing into action.

For Glen Rovers’ Patrick Horgan, Michéal Mullins, Rob and Eoin Downey, a Group 1 meeting with Erin’s Own offers the rebel inter-county quartet an opportunity to refocus on club matters.

Last year’s Senior A county-winning side won all six championship encounters to regain their place in the county’s top grade at the first time of asking. Naturally, the Glen will be eager to reestablish themselves. An Erin’s Own team, with Robbie O’Flynn leading their attack, should provide formidable opposition.

Can the contenders take that extra step?

One from Blackrock, Sarsfields and Midleton have featured in each of the last five Premier SHC county finals. All three possess squads with enough depth and experience to reach the latter stages once again.

The question is, can any of that trio go the extra step and claim the Seán Óg Murphy Cup?

The Rockies, 2020 winners and 2022 runners-up, fell to eventual county champions Imokilly at the penultimate stage last year.

Sarsfields, 2023 winners and 2024 runners-up, will be eager to build on last year’s Munster title-winning heroics over Ballygunner and an All-Ireland final appearance at Croke Park.

Midleton, 2021 winners and 2023 runners-up, were denied a second successive county final appearance following a one-point semi-final loss to Sars.

So, getting off to a positive start will be crucial but far from straightforward. Blackrock face Kanturk, Sarsfields take on Fr O’Neill’s and Midleton meet Newtownshandrum this weekend.

Will it be third time lucky for Blarney?

Bishopstown, relegated from the Premier SHC, and Watergrasshill, promoted from the Premier IHC as well as being the reigning All-Ireland intermediate champions, will inject plenty of interest and no little quality into this year’s Senior A hurling grade.

Whatever about the aforementioned duo’s aspirations, all eyes will be on last year’s runners-up, Blarney, as they begin another campaign having come up short in the last two county finals. Newcestown (2023) and Glen Rovers (2024) ended Blarney’s title hopes so consistency will be essential for the latter in a group that contains Bride Rovers, Courcey Rovers and Watergrasshill.

Any side that can call upon Cork seniors Mark Coleman and Shane Barrett is in with a shout of winning a county. Unfortunately their third Rebel, Pádraig Power, is sidelined with a knee injury.

A rematch of last year’s semi-final with Bride Rovers represents an early test of Blarney’s credentials. 

Avoiding defeat on the first day will be important before the pressure ratchets up ahead of an eagerly anticipated meeting with the reigning All-Ireland intermediate champions in a fortnight.

Who will win a wide-open Premier IHC?

Six different finalists in the past three seasons underline the difficulty in 2025’s Co-Op Superstores Premier IHC.

Carrigaline, who came up short in last year’s decider, will fancy their chances of another title tilt. One of the county’s most famous hurling clubs, Cloyne, will be desperate to rebound from last year’s relegation. The two clubs meet in Cobh on Sunday. 

East Cork club Lisgoold, promoted as Intermediate AHC county champions, are another to keep an eye on. Semi-finalists for the past two seasons, Ballincollig, should also challenge. 

Lisgoold face Valley Rovers and Ballincollig take on Ballinhassig on the opening weekend.