Rory Twohig takes 96FM/C103 Sports Award after All-Ireland triumph

When the Cork minors set out earlier this year, there was a sense that something was building.

For goalkeeper Rory Twohig, now the 96FM/C103 Sports Award winner for June in association with co-sponsors Rochestown Park Hotel, that belief wasn’t created. 

It came from the football they were playing, the standards they were hitting, and the collective confidence that carried them through Munster and all the way to All-Ireland glory.

“We express ourselves,” he says. 

“We keep the football moving. We don’t hold onto the ball too long — we get up the pitch as fast as we can. That’s how you play good football.” 

It was a style that caught the eye from the outset and set the tone for everything that followed.

The Munster campaign brought its own turning points. The win over Kerry in Tralee — an evening that always carries weight in Cork football — felt like a statement. 

Down bodies, under pressure, and facing a Kerry side in form, Cork produced a performance that convinced them they were on the right track.

“It gave us belief and kind of kicked us on from there,” Twohig said. 

“That was the start of it. We then went on to play Kerry in the Munster final. That was completely different. 

“The weather was awful, but we dug deep and got over the line. It was a great achievement to win Munster. We knew from the start, even in the Leinster Development League, that there was a serious team here.” 

The All-Ireland series tested that conviction. Cork were comfortable against Meath, but the semi-final against Derry required resilience. A poor start, conceding two early goals, left them chasing, yet they found their rhythm and imposed themselves.

“Our team dug deep again against Derry,” Twohig states. 

“We got over the line fairly well in the end. It wasn’t comfortable for our own reasons, but it was an excellent performance.” 

The final itself will live long in Cork folklore. Trailing by nine points at the start of the second half, Cork refused to panic. The atmosphere in Newbridge — a huge Cork crowd arriving after a tough day for the senior hurlers the day before — gave the minors a boost. 

“Unbelievable support for us. For a minor game, the stadium was nearly packed. We went in at half-time knowing the game wasn’t over. Strong wind with us, and we weren’t going to go away. 

“It was just something we had inside us this year. Also, the bench meant a lot for us. It was key to bring the subs on and get scores because Tyrone had been on top for most of the game.” 

Twohig’s own contribution was central. His frees, his two-pointers, his kicking game, and his shot-stopping were consistent all year.

“I come up and take the frees — that’s my job. I keep practicing and hopefully they keep going right. When you get confidence, you can just keep kicking. 

“My first job is stopping the ball going into the back of the net and kicking the ball out to the outfield players — the two main jobs.” 

The celebrations reflected the scale of the achievement for the Cork minor footballers, and a few weeks on, it’s still being spoken about — and rightly so. Ballincollig turned out in force for the homecoming, and the squad were taken aback by the welcome.

“Unbelievable what they set up for us in Ballincollig. We really appreciated it. It was only when we went back there that we realised what we had achieved. 

“You only have one or two years at minor and you have to make the most of it. We’re so happy as a team. It was a brilliant season and hopefully we can keep working hard going forward.”