The Echo Sport Podcast: What a week to be a Cork GAA fan!

The Echo Sport Podcast crew are in high spirits to discuss a memorable run of hurling and football games with the footballers roaring back to beat Meath, the minors lifting the Munster title and hurling wins at minor and senior level.

Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.

Keith Ricken's minor footballers didn't get any help from the weather gods as they overcame driving rain and a Kerry side determined to show their heavy loss in the round-robin was a freak result. 

It wasn't always pretty but it was certainly gutsy by the young Rebels, who held on in extra time at rain-swept Páirc Uí Rinn.

To cap it off, captain Joe Miskella delivered his speech as Gaeilge. Ar fheahas!

The seniors also had to dig deep, albeit in sun-sorched conditions, in the opening round of the All-Ireland series, gaining a modicum of revenge for the league final loss to Meath. Eight points down at half-time and then reduced to 14 men after a harsh red card for Colm O'Callaghan, the backing of the home support definitely made a difference as Steven Sherlock shot the lights out.

Defenders Tommy Walsh and Daniel O'Mahony were also magnificent and now the summer opens up for John Cleary's side, who are one win away from a first quarter-final in three seasons.

The late Johnny Carroll, a Munster-winning Cork footballer, county-winning player with Dohenys and Carbery and county-winning selector with Ballincollig, would have enjoyed those two games.

BACK AGAIN

The hurlers return to the Munster final as defending champions after becoming the first county since Tipperary in 2019 to win all four group games. We expected a classic in the Páirc on Sunday but despite the glorious weather, we got nothing of the sort. 

Clare couldn't replicate the intensity they brought to their victory over Tipp a week earlier, with the Downeys, Niall O'Leary, William Buckley and Brian Hayes leading Cork's charge. Next up is yet another Limerick showdown.

The minors had to come from six points down with time running out to beat Wexford and make the All-Ireland quarter-final, as Bobby Power top-scored, captain Eoin Considine swapped from wing-back to full-forward to snatch a goal and sub Sam McCarthy, son of Timmy, grabbed 1-2.