The Echo Sport Podcast: Cork hurlers offer reminder of their class as footballers escape to vital victory

Two from two at a cold but sunny Páirc, Cork fans can't have too many complaints after the opening round of the league and the Echo Podcast crew review the action.

The Ben O’Connor era got off to an ideal start as the Cork hurlers eased to a 3-25 to 1-17 victory over Waterford.

In front of a bumper crowd of 20,464 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the Rebels were in clinical form against an inexperienced Déise in the opening quarter as they led 0-11 to 0-3.

Alan Connolly and Declan Dalton raised first-half green flags, and newcomer William Buckley added a third goal in the second half before picking up the TG4 Man of the Match. Buckley was a star underage attacker for Cork and showed his potential at the top level, as his touch, movement and accuracy stood out.

The more experienced crew of Seán O'Donoghue, Niall O'Leary and Mark Coleman didn't put a foot wrong while Rob Downey and Shane Barrett were terrific in the first half and Tommy O'Connell had a stormer in the second.

Still, it's only the league, Waterford were understrength and there's the matter of a free-taker, post-Patrick Horgan.

RALLY

In the footballers’ league opener, they rallied from seven points down to squeeze out Cavan 0-24 to 2-17 with Steven Sherlock nailing the crucial injury-time two-pointer.

What a boost it is to have him back.

Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, and Seán McDonnell clipped the scores to set up the grandstand finish. There were a few standout performers, and with Derry losing and Tyrone drawing their opening league games, Cork are in a strong position heading to Louth.

However, questions will be asked about coughing up two goals on home turf even if it did set the stage for the comeback. 

In ladies football, Katie Quirke’s late free gave Cork a 1-10 to 2-7 draw against Kildare at MTU, while Rochestown College made a disappointing exit in the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final.

At third level, UCC are in Fitzgibbon Cup and Sigerson action on the road while MTU Cork will be eager to make home advantage count in their Fitz quarter-final.

Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is 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.