What stats show about Cork hurling clubs in Munster senior, intermediate and junior action
Colm Sheehan, Kilbrittain, and Mike Molloy, Knockaderry, clashing for the sliotar. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
As Kilbrittain enter the Munster JHC final, they will be aiming to extend a proud Rebel record.
Since the Munster Council took over administration of the tournament from Bruff GAA in 2002, Cork clubs have claimed 16 of the 22 trophies on offer.
To illustrate that dominance, Cork’s representatives haven’t lost to a team from Clare since 2003, from Limerick since 2009, from Waterford since 2014, and from Tipperary since 2017. Following that most recent defeat, it has been 15 wins and six trophies on the spin.
In total, dating back to the competition’s origins, Cork clubs boast an 88% win percentage, with 45 victories from 51 matches.
That’s not to say that Kilrossanty won’t be dangerous opponents on Saturday in Mallow, and not just because they carry the experience of last year’s final defeat to Russell Rovers.
The numbers emphasise how Waterford have consistently proved the next most successful county in the grade.
The only three titles not brought back to Leeside since 2009 have all gone across the eastern border to Ardmore (2017), Modeligo (2014), and Ballysaggart (2013).
The latter pair are the sole Déise clubs to record victories over Cork teams in 15 attempts. However, against the representatives of other Munster counties, Waterford teams have won 18 of their 24 matches.
Meanwhile, in the senior grade, Waterford have emerged as the ascendant force since the turn of the century. That’s no surprise given Ballygunner’s rise.
The Gunners have eliminated the Limerick champions for the past seven seasons in succession. Between 2017 and ‘23, they accounted for the Clare champions six years in a row. That’s the supremacy Éire Óg Ennis must try to break when those teams meet in Sunday’s final at Semple Stadium.
Clare clubs were once the kingpins of Munster. Between 1995 and 2000, they claimed a clean sweep of titles. Since then, they hold the worst record.
Yet, they retain strong head-to-heads against certain counties. When Éire Óg defeated Loughmore-Castleiney, it was a fourth consecutive win for a Banner team against Tipperary opposition.
Clare clubs had also done four in a row versus those from Cork until Sarsfields bucked the trend against Feakle last year.
It doesn’t look so good against Limerick sides, though, with five consecutive losses. However, their county champions haven’t been drawn together since 2015.
Clare and Cork have both registered 13 wins since 2002. Cork clubs have accumulated more titles, though. Newtownshandrum and Sars have combined for four, either side of a 14-year barren spell.
Clare clubs have been more consistent in picking up wins, but Ballyea’s 2016 success marks their sole title since 2000.
Where Cork have won 42% of their matches at senior level, they are the intermediate market leaders on 71%. That has been good for 10 titles out of 21 since the grade was established in 2003.
The next best counties produce this year’s finalists. Although Tipperary are searching for a first title since Silvermines in 2012, and Clare a first since Wolfe Tones in 2015, they have the best win percentages in the competition behind Cork. Either Upperchurch-Drombane or O’Callaghan’s Mills will snap a drought at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.
The Kerry senior champions have competed at Munster intermediate level since 2008 to good effect. Their record matches those of Limerick and Waterford at the lower grade, with Kilmoyley delivering a breakthrough title in 2021.
That demonstrates the importance of appropriate grading.
Cork’s redesignation of Lower Intermediate to Premier Junior was done for more practical considerations to meet provincial competition deadlines. It did enable Ballygiblin to complete a unique double of Munster junior titles in 2021 and 2022.
Cork’s win percentages at intermediate and junior levels would indicate that their third- and fifth-tier winners remain more than capable of excelling on the provincial stage.
Waterford 70% (seven titles),
Tipperary 50% (five titles),
Limerick 49% (five titles),
Cork 42% (four titles),
Clare 38% (one title).
Cork 71% (10 titles),
Clare 53% (three titles),
Tipperary 50% (two titles),
Waterford 40% (two titles),
Limerick 39% (three titles),
Kerry 39% (one title).
Cork 88% (16 titles),
Waterford 51% (three titles),
Limerick 46% (one title),
Tipperary 36% (one title),
Clare 33% (one title),
Kerry 8%.
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