Cork Masters eye breakthrough All-Ireland football title

Cork Masters football selector and chairperson Seán Horgan believes the Rebels are “ready” to take on Galway in Saturday’s All-Ireland Masters Challenge Cup final. 

The decider takes place in Cappamore in Limerick, with throw-in at 2pm, as Cork return to the All-Ireland stage two years after losing the 2024 final to Derry.

Horgan says the mood in the camp is positive after what was a slow burner for them this year. Results have picked up, and a semi-final win over London two weeks ago pushed them into Saturday’s final.

“The lads have really put the shoulder to the wheel over the last number of weeks and I couldn’t ask for any more,” the Shamrocks clubman says.

“There are different tiers and while this is the fourth tier, we lost to Waterford and Kerry earlier this season, who were in the top-tier semi-finals this year, so we’re not too far away. 

"We’re not a million miles off the second tier or even the top tier. The lads have really improved as the year went on.” 

A major factor in that improvement has been the arrival of manager Tony Leahy, whose coaching pedigree and St Finbarr’s and Cork background have lifted expectations and attracted new players.

“Tony has brought the standards up,” Horgan said.

“There’s been an influx of several new players with senior club experience, and that really stands out at this level. You can see how they control the ball, the experience they have, and what Tony does with the lads at training. He’s brilliant with them.

“There are probably six or seven players still involved from the team that played in the All-Ireland final two years ago. But the new lads have gelled with the older players. That’s down to Tony and what he does on the training pitch.” 

Cork lost the 2024 All-Ireland Masters final to Derry, a defeat Horgan feels came “a bit too soon” for the group. This time, he believes they arrive better prepared and more balanced.

“I think we’re ready,” he states.

“Galway will be favourites because they’ve been there before and they’ve won All-Ireland Masters titles. This is only our second time in an All-Ireland football final. But we’re ready, and fingers crossed all goes well.” 

Off the field, Cork Masters have also made strides. Sponsorship has grown, visibility has increased, and the group is beginning to build a stronger identity within the county.

“We’ve managed to get quite a few sponsors on board this year,” Horgan says.

“Eirdata are our main sponsors, but we have many more who have rowed in behind them. The word is getting out there and we’re building.” 

Victory on Saturday would be a landmark moment, but Horgan stresses that it would also serve a longer-term purpose.

“It would be the icing on the cake, but more importantly it would provide a foundation going forward. If we win an All-Ireland Masters title, it puts us in the shop window next year. It might entice more good players to come in.

“We’re absolutely over the moon to be in an All-Ireland Masters football final. The work is done. We’ll be under pressure, but we’re ready.”