Ben O’Connor delights in Pádraig Power's successful return to Cork action

While there were 14 scorers in all in Cork’s 24-point win over Offaly, manager Ben O’Connor reserved special praise for Pádraig Power.

The Blarney attacked scored 1-4 in the 2025 league opener against Wexford but then sustained a cruciate ligament injury in the second outing of that campaign, against Limerick.

His two late points against Offaly served to act as a reminder for what he can do and O’Connor believes that his impact will grow as the 2026 season plays out.

“Delighted with the win,” O’Connor said, “more delighted for Paudie Power than anyone else.

“He's 13 or 14 months out. He got meaningful game-time, got his couple of scores and got through it okay, which was the main thing.

“Delighted with the result but it was more for Paudie than anyone else. We all know how good Paudie can be but it's not easy for him.

“We had hoped to give him game-time earlier in the league but he just wasn't ready so tonight was ideal and he got 20 minutes into his legs so that, even before anything else, is a confidence boost for himself.

“I'm sure that Paudie will have a big part to play in this team before the year is out.”

Cork led by 3-10 to 0-7 at half-time but it was an advantage that was bumped up with goals by Brian Hayes and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon coming up to the break.

“Look, no excuses,” O’Connor said, “I suppose they were well in it and they made it hard for us.

“Luckily enough for us, coming up to half-time we were gifted two goals and that was the difference then. There was a nice breeze there as well, so that was always going to help us in the second half.

“Fellas battled in the second half and when they clicked into gear, they were well on top. We were winning 50-50s in the second half that we weren't winning in the first half and I suppose they got the handle on the way Offaly were playing as well.

“No injuries – Alan Connolly got a bang on the ankle but no other injuries so it was a good night's work.”

More good work will be needed if Cork are to retain the trophy, with O’Connor fully aware of the challenge Limerick present.

“They are the best team in the country for the last ten years,” he said.

“It will be a tough battle – we’ve been beaten once this year and it was by Limerick. We’ll go down to Limerick and we will have a cut and we will see where that gets us.

“Tonight was a game to get out of the way and get a win and make sure we were in the league final, and now we are in the league final. We have massive games from here on in, the boys are chomping at the bit to try and get into the 26 first and into the team.

“The hardest thing for us at the moment is to pick the panel for the games. It is hard when you see the effort fellas are putting in.

“That will all sort itself out as well. In two weeks’ time we will have a day out in the bus and hopefully we will have a good day down there.”