2026 Cork P1 Minor Hurling All-Stars: Midleton, Blackrock and the best of the rest
Braden Dunlea, Midleton under pressure from Michael Quill, Blackrock. Both were selected in the 2026 Premier 1 Minor Hurling Championship Team of the Season. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Putting together an All-Star team of any form is always a challenge, but it’s an enjoyable one. Especially so with the Cork Premier 1 Minor Hurling Championship.
In the three seasons that we’ve ran this column, there have been three different championship winners. In both 2026 and 2025, we saw the previous year’s beaten finalists come back to win it. Midleton’s success this year was hard-fought, as they endured a brilliant battle over two games against Blackrock.
And, coincidentally, the champions get six starters again, just as Sarsfields did in 2025, and Glen Rovers in 2024.
So here it is, the 2026 P1 Minor All-Star line-up, with 10 substitutes included.
Stokes has all the attributes you’d want in a goalkeeper. He was so crucial to the Magpies’ success this year. His puckouts were varied and on point, but his communication and decision-making under pressure really stood out. So confident as a keeper. Hard to believe he’s still an U16.
Immense in Glen Rovers’ run to the semi, he was the heartbeat at full-back. Brilliant across all of their games but especially against Na Piarsaigh in the group stages. Looks a really promising defender with a very bright future ahead.
Arguably Midleton’s best defender all season. Some incredible showings at full-back, especially in the two deciders with Blackrock. So influential whenever he was called into action, really composed at the back. Time and time again, Dunlea made the right decisions.
Reads the game so well. Peadar was so crucial all year for the Magpies and is never afraid to take it to his man and attack the ball. Did well with limited minutes last year too while U16, and Midleton will be more than happy to enjoy his availability for a third year.
Missed the first two group games with injury, ironically the two where Midleton looked most uncertain, as they scraped by Carrig and lost to Blackrock. Once Cahill came back into the team, he was rock solid once again. A terrific defender with bags of potential, he’ll certainly have more to offer next year.
Played every available minute and was seriously good in the six role for the Rockies. Such an intelligent defender with all the ingredients to make it at senior level.
Another defensive star for the Rockies, Walsh was so solid in both finals and put in an immense year all round. A mainstay throughout the season at half back, he was so dependable.
The youngest of Carrig’s Walsh brothers, Tom has the talent that Seán and Patrick have. Scored 3-7 from midfield and was immense especially against eventual champions Midleton. With plenty of Harty experience and a strong impression made at Junior A, expect to see him get league minutes with the Carrig seniors next year. Future star.
A player who has gotten better with each passing year for Midleton, Molumby saved his best for his first year at minor. He chipped in with 0-6 – almost exactly one per match – but he brought so much more in midfield. His work rate and passing were crucial. His decision-making too was on point. He put in excellent displays in both finals.
The champions’ top-scorer produced big performances against Sars and Glen Rovers – the latter dragging Midleton into the final – and then played through a broken finger in the replay win over Blackrock, coming off the bench to deliver a crucial extra-time goal as Midleton turned it. Resilience.
The championship top-scorer, and what a season Quill had. So steady from placed balls and immense on both big days. He did everything he could for the Rockies and they were so unfortunate to come up short in extra time.
Some scoring haul from four games for the Na Piarsaigh starlet, and that’s including 0-16 from play. It’s no surprise that the Cork U20 was their star forward, and he gave several exhibitions, including the semi-final defeat to Blackrock. Managed 0-20 in Na Piarsaigh’s last three Junior A championship matches, only one of those appearances was a start.
A lightning threat all season for the Rockies. Starred in the semi-final with 2-4 (including a sideline) and was crucial again in the final, and very nearly won it for Blackrock with 1-2 in Páirc Uí Rinn. Terrific displays against Midleton and Carrigtwohill too in the group stages.
A serious goal threat, no player hit the net more than Hurley did this year. Granted, four of the six goals came in one appearance as he starred in their victory over Ballincollig, but Hurley was a handful for the opposition in every game. Carried that form into Na Piarsaigh’s Junior A championship too.
Top-scorer from play in the championship, and what a return from O’Shaughnessy. Five from play in the first final against Midleton, 1-2 in their semi-final win over Na Piarsaigh, and an outrageous 1-7 against Carrigtwohill. The Rockies forward has a very bright future ahead.
Cian Coakley (Blackrock)
Conor Cunningham (Glen Rovers)
Brian Cronin (Ballincollig) 0-3
Senan Carroll (Midleton) 0-7
Alfie Hennessy (Midleton) 1-5
Sam Ring (Carrigtwohill) 2-27 (0-16 f, 0-3 65)
Gavin O’Callaghan (Glen Rovers) 0-31 (0-21 f, 0-4 65, 0-1 sideline)
Adam Dunlea (Sarsfields) 1-25 (0-14 f, 0-3 65)
John O’Sullivan (Midleton) 1-14
Bobby Power (Ballincollig) 0-28 (0-17 f, 0-1 65)
App?
