Cork hurling special ahead of Munster championship throw-in.
Cork have ticked every box so far this year, building up significant momentum on their way to a first league title since 1998.They overwhelmed Tipp in the decider on Leeside, bringing their total of green flags in the last three games to 13, which included six up in Ennis where they head this Sunday.The harsh reality is that league and championship are very different animals and All-Ireland champions Clare will unleash hell on Easter Sunday after getting hammered last month.In our hurling special, we discuss the latest Cork-Clare showdown in detail with Denis Hurley, John Horgan and Jack McKay, and they offer their verdicts on the round-robin series while selecting their top three to qualify from Munster.Can Brian Hayes build on his sensational spring form? Remember he wasn't in the starting line-up for the first round this time last year in Waterford.Is Darragh Fitzgibbon's best position at 11 or will we see him back in midfield again over the coming weeks?Cork's backs have been mean and tight lately and that improved defensive effort will be integral to bridging the gap to 2005, or even reach a first Munster final since 2018.Our guests also discuss their personal Munster championship highlights over the years, the games and goals that stand out.Barry O'Mahony joins us to preview Cork v Kerry in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Kingdom were pushed all the way by John Cleary's side in their last two meetings but the new rules suited Kerry's attack in their Division 1 league victory.Rory Noonan reports from the league finals over the weekend, which saw Cork lose to Galway in football but win the camogie crown for the first time since 2013. How are both sides fixed for championship? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:03:28
Cork hurlers embrace the pressure and dazzle in league final.
Cork, league champions again at last. It's not the big prize we all crave so badly but Pat Ryan's side bridged the gap to 1998 in style over the weekend.All the pressure was on the Cork hurlers in the final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and they rose to the occasion, delivering a first-half display on par with their efforts against Limerick last May. This time there was no dramatic fightback, with the Rebels comfortable winners.There was a cracking atmosphere as Cork stitched three goals in the second quarter though the second half was a strange affair, with the Rebels making a host of mistakes. Clare will have watched on with interest, particularly how Ronan Maher shielded his full-back line by dropping in front of the D.The major question now is if Cork will carry their momentum and form into the summer, starting with that trip to Ennis on Easter Sunday. They blitzed the Banner for six goals in the league but as we all well know, championship is a very different animal.The interest in the team is incredible with tickets for the provincial action being snapped up during the week. The scene is set for a thrilling Munster campaign.On the football front, the Cork seniors and U20s had solid victories in the last week, but both now face very difficult games against Kerry.Ray O'Mahony's charges are in Tralee on Monday night, curtailed by injuries to key forwards Dara Sheedy and Ed Myers. The seniors host Kerry on Easter Saturday in a straight knockout Munster semi. Did they show anything up in Limerick to suggest they could knock the league champions out of their stride?Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy will be 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.You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34:19
Cork v Tipp league final preview as footballers head to Limerick.
It's a massive weekend in Cork GAA with the hurlers hosting Tipperary in a sold-out league final.SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be packed but was it the right call to make it a double-header with Offaly v Waterford in Division 1B, given the interest in the Faithful County? Home advantage might help the Rebels on the pitch come Sunday but it hasn't proved much use in terms of securing tickets.It's hard to be overly critical of GAA for putting the Páirc in the spotlight in a contest that will generate an electric atmosphere but that's scant consolation to the fans who won't get to go. The Munster Championship matches also go on sale this week and all four games with Cork will most likely sell, out. Stand tickets are being distributed through the clubs but interest is at its highest since the mid-noughties.We preview the final and make the case for Cork bridging a long gap since their last league success in 1998.We also discuss the minor and U20 action last week and how regularly red cards are now being flashed for what looks like minimal contact, which saw Barry O'Flynn and Ben Walsh dismissed against Clare.The footballers are in championship action on Saturday, heading to Limerick to face Division 4 league winners Limerick who will relish the underdogs tag. Cork ended their league with a decent bit of momentum though and should have enough to set up a Munster semi-final in the Páirc on Easter Saturday with Division 1 champs Kerry.We look at the U20 football squad ahead of their provincial opener and round up the latest in the league after three games across the seven divisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34:42
Cork hurlers keep laying down markers; footballers finally find form.
Cork delivered across the board over the weekend, the hurlers brushed Galway aside, the footballers took down Cavan to protect their position in the All-Ireland series and the camogie and ladies footballers moved into the league final with a game to spare. For the hurling faithful, it was another excellent performance, Pat Ryan's side building up a head of steam but the knee injury that forced Brian Hayes off was a major downside. Next up is a league final against an equally in-form Tipp and while it's 'only the league', Cork badly need a trophy. Cork are being hyped up nationally now as the team to beat but they well know that Clare, Limerick and more are waiting in the long grass with little interest in how the league panned out. For John Cleary's footballers, they've ended the league after a couple of very good showings but again just outside the promotion places. It's only two weeks until championship throws in, against a Limerick team they'll be expected to beat but had a good league themselves. Unfortunately, away from the playing fields, a darkness has been cast by a host of tragic deaths, including the passing of Midleton and Cork All-Ireland winning forward Ger Fitzgerald after illness and the sudden loss of 18-year-old tyro from Kilbrittain and Hamilton High School Oisín Gillain. Like Sars' Ray Ryan and Midleton U21 county winner Darragh McCarthy, they'll be hugely missed by family, friends, club members and the wider Cork GAA community. You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31:53
Big picture in Cork football still hugely concerning; hurlers take on Galway for league final place.
The Echo Sport Podcast takes in all the latest GAA action. This week we discuss the state of Cork football.Barry O'Mahony analyses a strong performance at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh against the Louth team that knocked them out of last year's All-Ireland series. Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones led the line with aplomb while Colm O'Callaghan grabbed the critical goal.It was a welcome reprieve for John Cleary's side who gave themselves a good chance of escaping relegation and if they beat Cavan away they'll secure a top-four finish and avoid a possible Tailteann Cup appearance.However, the state of Cork football is still a major concern for all Rebels. The U20s taking a heavy beating, albeit in a challenge, from Louth didn't help, especially as underage results in recent years have been a disappointment outside of Munster minor titles in '21 and '22. Where can improvements be made? The geographical spread of Cork football strongholds and the hurling preference in many areas certainly aren't helping... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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