The Echo Podcast: Picking the Cork club football player of the week, plus hurling preview

The Echo Podcast: Picking the Cork club football team and player of the week, plus bumper hurling preview.

Newcestown shook up the Premier Senior Football Championship in Cork after beating three-in-a-row chasing Castlehaven in the last group game.

Jim O'Sullivan's side secured their first victory over the Haven at senior level with a strong finish as Tadhg Twomey and David Buckley shared 0-10 between them. It means Newcestown now face Carrigaline for a place in the semi-finals while Castlehaven must get past their great rivals St Finbarr's.

Two from Newcestown, Carrigaline, Duhallow and Ballincollig will be in the last four, though Nemo Rangers were the big winners over the weekend as their hammering of St Michael's granted them top seed on scoring difference.

The Barrs shot the lights out themselves on Sunday with the major news afterward that ace marksman Steven Sherlock will rejoin the Cork panel for 2026, having opted out this season. Sherlock only started two of Cork's 13 games in his last year in Rebel red but will surely be a key figure for John Cleary's side now he's back, especially as his kicking ability is well suited to the new rules.

He even landed a two-point sideline at Páirc Uí Rinn against Carrigaline.

MARQUEE

Nemo's marquee forward Mark Cronin grabbed 1-7 against Michael's and it'll be interesting to see him link up with Sherlock next season.

Another brilliant forward Cathail O'Mahony grabbed 1-6 for Mitchelstown at Intermediate A level in a winner-takes-all derby with Kildorrery. Kiskeam qualified to the PIFC quarter-final after just their first championship win in two years against Castletownbere.

St Nick's powered straight into the Premier Junior semis after finishing the group stages with eight goals scored and none conceded, though Buttevant are the team to beat in that grade.

There were plenty of contenders for Club Footballer of the Weekend, including Kiskeam's David Scannell, Newcestown's Tadhg Twomey, Éire Óg keeper Chris Kelly made some big saves and kicked 0-5, and Aghabullogue's Luke Casey. He clipped 1-4 from play against Aghada, less than 24 hours after helping the Coachford soccer team to a victory over Ringmahon Rangers at Turner's Cross.

It's a huge weekend on the club hurling front with a plethora and we pick out the matches to catch in the various grades.

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.