The Echo Sport Podcast

• Ref-justice on the Barrs and Cork hurling coach departs in preseason.

  The Echo Podcast crew discuss the main issues impacting Cork GAA fans after a packed weekend of action for December, which included three Munster finals, two schools finals in the Páirc and a pair of U21 hurling semis.The major talking point was St Finbarr's loss to Dingle at Semple Stadium where a very harsh call by the ref saw a decision on a free go against Ian Maguire and then the ball advanced by 50 metres because Dylan Quinn picked it up as the whistle sounded.The result was a monster two-point free as time elapsed to see the Barrs beaten the minimum.While Brian Roche's side know they should have been more clinical in the last quarter, as they only scored one point after the 40th minute, they were still aggrieved with how the game was decided. It won't be any consolation for them but it was one of the most enthralling Munster club football finals of all time, lit up by an incredible 16-point haul from Steven Sherlock.In the other provincial finals, Buttevant and Aghabullogue were well beaten by their Kerry opponents, confirming the Kingdom's utter dominance of the intermediate and junior grades.Clonakilty Community School produced an excellent display on Friday night to defeat Coláiste Choilm and capture their first Simcox Cup while Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG retained the Dr O'Callaghan Cup after a belter with Christians. A brilliant decision by the Cork County Board to stage the games on the big stage in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.Midleton and Shandrum will contest the U21 A hurling final after their victories on the 4G and while the Magpies will be favourites.For hurling fans, the spotlight this week was on the new senior management after coach Niall O'Halloran departed Ben O'Connor's set-up in preseason. Cork are training extremely hard since their return but it was very unusual to see a chance in the backroom at this stage.There's also a preview of the All-Ireland camogie club finals coming up at Croke Park, with St Finbarr's and Ballincollig in their first national finals on Jones Road.Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Kilbrittain deliver for Cork hurling as Valley Rovers shock the Glen

  As we enter the home stretch of the Cork GAA season, the Echo Podcast crew look at the major action at club, schools and third level.There was Junior A joy for the hurlers of Kilshannig and the footballers of Kilmacabea. In a double-header at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the two clubs with that bit more experience got the job done and will move up to Premier Junior for 2026.There was an extra incentive for Kilshannig as they paid tribute to jockey and former player Michael O'Sullivan, who tragically lost his life following a racecourse fall. Wing-back Kieran Twomey was Man of the Match in the decider but it was a collective effort as they dominated a Ballinora outfit bidding to complete the double.Kilmac pushed for home in the last quarter of their clash with a youthful Donoughmore unit, turning their West Cork dominance into county glory after a series of disappointments in recent seasons.At Munster level, Kilbrittain are closing in on a trip to Croke Park after an emphatic Munster Junior Hurling final showing. In camogie, St Finbarr's and Ballincollig secured their All-Ireland final trips with terrific semi-final showings up the country, the Barrs prevailing after extra, extra time for the second time in recent weeks.Closer to home, Midleton outgunned the Collig in one U21 A quarter-final but the Valley Rovers hurlers pulled off a massive shock in the other by defeating a Glen Rovers unit that looked the part in the City Division.It's now Midleton v Newcestown and Valleys-Shandrum in the last four, with the Magpies aiming to retain the county.We preview the Munster football finals, as Buttevant, Aghabullogue and St Finbarr's can on the best sides from Kerry, eager to improve on Cork's recent record in the competition, especially in the junior and intermediate grades.The knockout stages of the Corn Uí Mhuirí are set while Coláiste Choilm and Clonakilty collide in the Simcox Cup final. In the Dr O'Callaghan Cup decider there's a Harty Cup group stage rematch when Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG face Christians.Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Cork clubs frustrated with new rules on amalgamations

  The Echo Podcast crew review the Cork GAA action and look at the major issues impacting clubs and supporters.All three Cork football clubs got the job done in their Munster semi-final, with Buttevant, Aghabullogue and St Finbarr's meeting Kerry opposition next month.The Leeside winners lived up to their billing as favourites, though Aghabullogue, perhaps understandably, a week after a hurling county final, needed to dig deep in the last quarter of their game.Once again, Matthew Bradley was in deadly scoring form, even though he'd been in soccer action 24 hours earlier.Now they'll take on An Ghaeltacht for Munster silverware. A daunting prospect with Cork powerhouse Aidan Walsh a serious addition for the Kerry kingpins.Brian Hayes grabbed a headline-worthy hat-trick for the Barrs in their semi-final. There's huge depth in the Togher squad, with a host of strong bench options, and they'll need those if they are to defeat Dingle in what will be a cracking Munster showdown.Buttevant will take on Ballymacelligott in the junior final and with an eye for goal and the ability to range orange flags will be confident of lifting the trophy.They also look at the major talking points in Cork GAA, including the new rules regarding amalgamations between clubs at underage level.Ibane Gaels fell just short against a powerful Douglas team, spearheaded by Sean Coakley, in the U21 A football final at the weekend.The combination of Barryroe and Argideen Rangers has been very successful in recent years, competing in the top tiers at minor in both codes, but the Cork County Board have stricter rules now in place.The aim is to encourage clubs to field separate teams in lower grades to protect their identity but is it the right move given rural depopulation?Ballinora continue their double bid after making the Junior A hurling final and Donoughmore and Kilmacabea are into the JAFC decider.There are still five game left in the U21 A Hurling grade, with Midleton and the Collig retaining their divisional crowns over the weekend.Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• County final classics and disappointment for Cork hurling in Munster.

  We're deep into November and despite the biblical rain, but a host of huge games still took place on the Cork GAA front.Ballinora secured their first Intermediate Football title after an absolutely epic showdown with Ilen Rovers. They couldn't be separated in their first meeting and it took extra time in the rematch, Kevin Werner's goal eventually deciding a pulsating battle where Ilen rallied from eight points down.Soaring two-pointers and brilliant goals mean the IAFC final was a showcase for the best of the new rules.Ballinora are still in with a shout for a double, with Kilshannig in the Junior A final after Éanna Hanlon's goal saw off Newmarket, while the Muskerry champions meet Cobh next weekend.Aghabullogue secured their second double in three seasons, a staggering achievement, when Matthew Bradley landed another county final winner, this time after an IAHC classic with Bandon. The West Cork side were underdogs but came very close to pulling off an upset, powered by former Cork hurler Michael Cahalane.In Munster action, Sarsfields failed to fire in their loss to Ballygunner. The Waterford side were in ruthless form and despite a wonder goal from Daniel Hogan, Sars never look like coming away from Walsh Park with a win. Cork's wait for a first All-Ireland club winner at senior level since Newtownshandrum in 2004 goes on.At intermediate, Ballinhassig couldn't replicate their brilliance from the PIHC when going down to Tipp's Upperchurch Drombane. The Tipp team grabbed two goals while keeping a clean sheet, which was critical.The one bright spark for Cork hurling was Kilbrittain's victory over Knockaderry in the junior semi-final. Luke Griffin's goal and Mark Hickey's haul of 0-12 kept the favourites in control. Next up are Waterford’s Kilrossanty in the provincial decider.The Echo Podcast crew also preview the weekend action, including the U21 football decider where Douglas will face Ibane Gaels, who are contesting their first final at that level, a reflection of the great underage work going on in Barryroe and Argideen Rangers.Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Cork pick up four more All-Stars but they'd trade them all in for the All-Ireland.

  The All-Stars were dished out on Friday night with Darragh Fitzgibbon earning his third, and Brian Hayes, Ciarán Joyce and Seán O'Donoghue their first each.That haul was a fair reflection of how the season panned out for the Rebels, the league and Munster titles secured but Liam MacCarthy wrestled from their grasp at Croke Park by Tipp.It could have been very different if Cork had landed the big prize, Mark Coleman, Patrick Collins, Alan Connolly and Tim O'Mahony all looked set to be honoured until that second half.The Echo Podcast crew look at how Cork have fared at the awards in recent years and which hurlers have picked up the most All-Stars overall, with John Fenton, Jimmy Barry Murphy and Tony O'Sullivan leading the way on five each.The new hurling management is headed up by Ben O'Connor, who collected two All-Stars, and Ronan Curran, who has three.Also on this week's podcast, there's a review of the weekend action, which included Munster football victories for Aghabullogue and Buttevant, junior quarter-final wins for the Ballinora hurlers and Charleville footballers, and an U21 semi-final success for Douglas.Aghabullogue and Buttevant laid down impressive markers but the Mid Cork side have a hurling final with Bandon to negotiate next Sunday before they turn their focus back to the big ball.Premier Senior champions St Finbarr's are in Munster action next weekend, facing a tough trip to Clonmel Commercials, while it doesn't get harder for Sars than an away game against Ballygunner, who are on a revenge mission.Kilbrittain and Ballinhassig fly the Cork hurling flag and, after a decent break since their county final successes, they should be in a strong position to deliver in the province.All the games are previewed, as well as the Intermediate A Football final replay between Ilen Rovers and Ballinora.The Junior A Championships are down to the last four. Nemo's third team meet Donoughmore and it's Charleville against Kilmacabea in football and on the hurling front, Cobh take on Ballinora while Kilshanning face Newmarket.Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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