Steven Sherlock returns but more changes expected on Cork football panel

Steven Sherlock's comments last Sunday that he is retuning to the Cork football set-up for the 2026 season wasn't a huge surprise.

The St Finbarr’s star stepped away from the panel for the campaign just gone, but he confirmed to the media after St Finbarr's win over Carrigaline that he will be part of John Cleary’s plans for the next inter-county season following recent discussions.

Sherlock was Cork’s top scorer in Cleary’s first three years in charge. He played in all 13 league and championship games in 2024, but 11 of those came off the bench.

With the new rules, they are made for the sharpshooter to flourish.

He will also have a point to prove to certain people. He has been in and out of the side since first joining the panel in 2018.

The boss at the time, Ronan McCarthy, deemed him surplus to requirements in February 2020 and Sherlock wouldn't be seen again under McCarthy's watch. The latter moved on at the end of the 2021 campaign. 

Sherlock capped his return to inter-county football with an All-Star nomination in 2022 as Cork reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

The Leesiders are under the guidance of Cleary until at least the conclusion of the 2027 season after the Castlehaven clubman agreed a fresh two-year term last month. He has been at the helm on a full-time basis since the summer of 2022.

Cork will once again attempt to earn promotion from the Allianz Division 2 league next year. They have been in the second-tier since promotion from Division 3 in 2021. 

They have been closer to the relegation places though in recent years. Cork finished fifth this year and haven’t dined at the top table of the football league since 2016.

Sherlock is arguably the best footballer on Leeside at this moment in time. He has been in incredible form all year for St Finbarr’s. He helped the Togher side win the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 football league with some remarkable tallies.

He scored 0-18 in the Barrs' league decider success over Clonakilty after extra time.

His immediate focus is on attempting to guide his club to McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC glory. They have reached the knockout stages as they aim to win the Andy Scannell trophy for the first time since 2021. They will meet the holders Castlehaven at the quarter-final stage on Sunday week.

But seeing him put on a Cork jersey again will be a huge boost for all concerned next year.

Meanwhile, the captain for the last few years, Brian Hurley, is expected to commit for another year with Cork. The Castlehaven player has been plagued by injuries in recent years, but his experience is still vital around the dressing room. 

Ruairí Deane though is likely to move on after giving great service and also Hugh O'Connor is set to join Ben O'Connor's Cork senior hurlers. Tommy Walsh could also swap codes. 

Finally, Cleary is an admirer of St Michael’s midfielder Rory O’Shaughnessy. The former Cork minor and U20 player would be a good addition and would provide more options in the middle of the field.

O’Shaughnessy is also a talented rugby player and captained Pres to the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup success in 2023.