Cork GAA talking points: Hurlers can experiment but footballers must target promotion
Niall O'Leary of Cork in action against Cian Lynch and Shane O'Brien of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final at TUS Gaelic Grounds. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Cork have been absent from Division 1 since 2016. Securing promotion to the top tier this spring would be a psychological boost ahead of championship but also important for the medium-term development of Cork football.
In that regard, the first three games are absolutely crucial, at home to Cavan, then away to Louth and Offaly.
Slow starts to the league cost them in previous campaigns.
The Rebels' other home matches are against Meath, coming off a terrific 2025 when they made the All-Ireland semi-final, and Kildare.
John Cleary and his selectors fielded a strong line-up for the McGrath Cup final in Kerry last weekend. It paid off with a first competitive victory in Killarney in 31 years but that won't count for much if it doesn't translate to a victory in the Páirc over Cavan.
Captain Ian Maguire is missing for the Cavan clash but Cork have a strong hand with Steven Sherlock now back in the squad and veteran Ruairí Deane option to stay on board. The likes of Daniel O'Mahony, Colm O'Callaghan, Seán McDonnell and Chris Óg Jones will be crucial this weekend and beyond.
Last season, Cork ended a seven-year wait for a Munster title and bridged a 27-year gap in the league but suffered a crushing All-Ireland final setback.
That ended Pat Ryan's tenure on a low note but huge strides were made. New boss Ben O'Connor is well aware of the strong base the hurlers have and the core of the Rebel 15 will stay the same.
However, there are still a sprinkling of new faces in the squad and Patrick Horgan has retired, with Luke Meade, Conor Lehane and Jack O'Connor, who all got championship minutes in 2025, also gone.
The interest will be in how the Rebels vary their tactics and which rookies can develop into championship options.
After unexpectedly reaching the All-Ireland final in 2024, the Cork hurlers' support exploded. Not that hurling hasn't always been number one on Leeside but the volume of young fans eager to get to every game was incredible.
In 2025, they drew 20,000-plus crowds to every home league match, which was unprecedented. It'll be interesting to see if that sustains after the Tipp hammering last July.
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