'A massive lift for the county' — Cork GAA chairman sees bright future after All-Ireland minor triumph 

Cork GAA chairman Pat Horgan stood on the pitch in Newbridge on Sunday afternoon with the same mixture of pride, relief and sheer admiration that swept through the travelling Rebel support.

Seven years on from the county’s last All-Ireland minor football triumph, Cork’s 2-16 to 1-16 victory over Tyrone was more than a comeback win. For Horgan, it was a statement about where Cork football is going — and who is driving it there.

“It was a great day for Cork football,” he says to The Echo, reflecting on the scale of the achievement.

“Seven years since the last minor football success, but just in general, a massive lift for Cork football. All-Irelands are not easily won, as you know. They’re very difficult to win. 

"But last Sunday we won a fantastic All-Ireland, and the character of this team all year has been that they never knew when they were beaten.” 

That character has been the defining thread of Keith Ricken’s group. Unbeaten all season, with two wins over Kerry and a Munster crown, they arrived in Newbridge with momentum — but found themselves nine points down on two separate occasions. 

For any team, that is a mountain. For teenagers, it is almost unthinkable. Yet Cork climbed it. 

“To be down nine points at two different occasions in front of a full house in Newbridge, and especially when you’re so young, that takes some guts,” Horgan said.

“But the one thing about this team is that all year they showed great character. They never knew when they were beaten and they always battled back. 

"I knew there was going to be a good spell in them, and once they got on top, they kicked on and recorded a historic and memorable victory for our county.” 

The closing quarter belonged entirely to Cork. Tyrone, who had controlled long stretches, suddenly found themselves chasing shadows as the Rebels owned possession and surged forward with conviction. The noise from the stands rose with every turnover, every tackle, every score.

“The support was incredible,” Horgan states.

“The crowd that turned up in Newbridge was really heartening to see for the players. At the end of the day, they played a huge part in driving us over the line. 

"Once we got momentum and kicked on, Tyrone had no answer. We owned the ball in the last 15 minutes, and it was the crowd and the momentum that drove the players on.

“These lads are a special bunch, and we look forward now to them going back to their clubs and developing their careers.

“We’re delighted for everybody — for Keith Ricken and his backroom — but particularly for the parents who put in so much work. The board is very appreciative of the effort that the parents make to drive this thing forward.

“We just provide the facilities and the backup, but really the families are the backbone of this."

Sunday’s win also arrives at a moment when Cork football, across all grades, feels like it is moving with purpose. The senior team’s loss to Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-final was a setback, but not a derailment. The broader picture, Horgan insists, is positive.

“If you look at our three football teams, our seniors won promotion to Division 1 this year. Not an easy task — that was a very difficult thing to do. 

"We had some notable games and some notable victories in the championship, none more so than the great win over Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn, and the fantastic win above in Donegal. 

"We were beaten later in the championship, but I think John Cleary and his crew put in a mighty shift.

“For Ray Keane and the U20s, they’ve done very well. They put it up to Kerry in the Munster final. We beat Kerry in the group phase. The only time they were beaten.

“Cork had a lot of injuries as well. I think Ray and his colleagues have done a fantastic job.” 

Taken together — senior progress, U20 competitiveness, and now an All-Ireland minor title — Horgan believes the county is moving in the right direction.

“I do think the stock of Cork football is healthy,” he said.

“It’s massively competitive out there, of course, but I think we’re more than holding our own at the moment. I look forward to better days and maybe a breakthrough at senior football level, driven by these young boys.”