Topics

Cork XV to play Offaly in Phase 2 qualifier:
A Nash; S O'Neill, B Murphy, C O'Sullivan; T Kenny, C Joyce, W Egan; D Sweetnam, L McLoughlin; C Lehane, C McCarthy, P Cronin; J Coughlan, P O'Sullivan, P Horgan.

Subs:

16. Darren McCarthy Ballymartle
17. Stephen Mc Donnell Glen Rovers
18. Damien Cahalane St. Finbarrs
19. Kilian Murphy Erin's Own
20. Eoin Cadogan Douglas
21. Daniel Kearney Sarsfields
22. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín Na Piarsaigh
23. John Gardiner Na Piarsaigh
24. Cathal Naughton Newtownshandrum
25. Luke O'Farrell Midleton
26. Stephen Moylan Douglas

Very interesting team. Got to admire the management team for the calls their making. From 6-15 no one over 24.

Offaly XV v Cork:
Eoin Kelly, Conor Hernon, David Kenny, James Rigney, Derek Morkan, Rory Hanniffy, Diarmuid Horan, Kevin Brady, Sean Ryan, Colin Egan, Conor Mahon, Brendan Murphy, Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin, Brian Carroll.

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Tipperary in Sunday's Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final at 4pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh will line out as follows:

                    1. Anthony Nash
                    Kanturk

2. Shane O Neill      3. Brian Murphy           4. Conor O'Sullivan
Bishopstown               Bride Rovers                    Sarsfields

5. Tom Kenny           6. Eoin Cadogan           7. William Egan
Grenagh                Douglas                         Kilbrin

     8. Darren Sweetnam      9. Lorcán Mc Loughlin
     Dohenys                         Kanturk

10. Conor Lehane      11. Pa Cronin                12. Cathal Naughton
Midleton                    Bishopstown                    Newtownshandrum

13. Jamie Coughlan     14. Paudie O'Sullivan      15. Padraig Ó hArgáin
Newtownshandrum          Cloyne                         Glen Rovers
Subs:

16. Darren McCarthy - Ballymartle     
17. Stephen McDonnell- Glen Rovers     
18. Damien Cahalane - St. Finbarrs
19. Killian Murphy - Erin's Own
20. Christopher Joyce - Na Piarsaigh
21. Daniel Kearney - Sarsfields
22. Seán Óg hAilpín - Na Piarsaigh
23. John Gardiner - Na Piarsaigh     
24. Cian McCarthy - Sarsfields
25. Luke O'Farrell - Midleton
26. Stephen Moylan - Douglas

A lot of big calls there.

The legend himself retired today, think he deserves his own topic.

An absolutely massive player for Cork when we dominated. Cork were at their best when the O Connor twins were at their peak, he has been a brilliant servant for us and will be missed. He was the best out there back in 04/05, his fitness levels were always incredibly high and he was one of the most naturally skillful players out there. A very quiet man and it says a lot that he went out in such a quiet way. Massive respect for him and all he's done for the team.

We wouldn't have won the 2 AI without the twins, he had that much of an impact on the team.

An incredible player, and all the best. 

[Curran calls it quits on inter-county careerWednesday, August 24, 2011 - 07:43 AM]

Curran calls it quits on inter-county career

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 07:43 AM


Cork centre-back Ronan Curran has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
The three time All Star will continue to line out for his club, St Finbarr's but will not be available for selection for the county side in 2012, the Irish Examiner reports.

"I had nine tough years but enjoyable years with Cork," said Curran, who was first brought onto the Cork senior set up by then manager Jimmy Barry Murphy in 2000 before making his championship debut in 2003.

"I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sad to leave it but after the Galway defeat in the championship I knew it was time to leave. I'm not getting any younger and the legs are getting a bit more tired at this stage. I've played a lot of games in the last ten years or so. I think the time is right.

"There's a lot of preparation involved – you're training on your own in the gym through the winter, then in with the county team early in the year and through to August, September, October with the club.

"It's a long haul with diets, gym programmes and the likes. It's a tough game and it's very serious. But I enjoyed it all. Playing for Cork is a huge honour and something I always dreamed of, and when I got to do it I loved every minute."

The two time All-Ireland winner (2004 and 2005) intends to carry on with his club — they lost to Castlehaven in the Cork senior football championship last weekend — in the hunt for an elusive county medal.

"That's one medal I'd love to get, a county senior hurling championship with the Barr's. I'm looking forward to carrying on for as long as I can with them trying to win that. I also want to help out a bit back with the Barr's at underage level now that I don't have to give over so much time to the inter-county team."

The sales manager with Mycro Helmets also had high praise for his former team-mates and coaches.

"From my parents through to the coaches with the Barr's, everyone I was involved with at the inter-county level with Cork, all my team-mates — that's what the GAA is all about for me, the fact you make friends with people."

http://www.irishexaminer.ie/breakingnews/sport/curran-calls-it-quits-on-inter-county-career-517663.html#ixzz1VvpVBT58

An incredible player, he'll be badly missed. Best 6 in the country on his peak. 2003-2006 was when he was an absolute force.
Always stood up when things were going badly.
Was key to Cork's success.
Will be truly missed.

Loved watching him play, dominated in the air and read the game incredibly well.
A great player, with 3 very deserving All Stars.

Thanks for the memories lad. Best of luck with the club.

[Seán Óg: Time to move on.By Fintan O'TooleTuesday, December 21, 2010]

Yes there was a topic not so long back, but that was full of certain people moaning about the strike, and I think we should start again.


Seán Óg: Time to move on.

By Fintan O'Toole

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

SEAN Óg Ó hAilpín says he is coming to terms with the end of his 14-year Cork senior hurling career and that he has departed the inter-county game content with the contribution he has made.
Friday, February 18, 2011 Archives Pictures

Ireland:An overcast day with patchy drizzle becoming heavy and thundery. An overcast day with patchy drizzle beco »
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Seán Óg: Time to move on.

By Fintan O'Toole

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

SEAN Óg Ó hAilpín says he is coming to terms with the end of his 14-year Cork senior hurling career and that he has departed the inter-county game content with the contribution he has made.


a d v e r t i s e m e n t


Rebels boss Denis Walsh axed Ó'hAilpín from his squad for the 2011 season in October, a decision which provoked a strong reaction on Leeside but the 34 year-old is determined to move on and focus on other areas of his life.

"I think it's no hidden secret now, I'm not going to be involved next year. Whether I agree with it or not, I just have to accept it and move on. Once I know in my own head that it wasn't me that pulled the plug on it, I'll move on. Look that was in October, it's December now and life is moving on for Sean Óg.

"You'd look back and wonder did you make a contribution because it's a team sport, it's not an individual sport. And I'm happy enough that I did make a contribution. So I'll walk away happy. I saw it as a job but it was a labour of love and I got great enjoyment out of it. The 14 years did go by fairly quickly. But if I had another 14 years, I'd do it all over again.

"I'll look forward to the other parts of life that will probably open up for me now. I look forward to spending time with the people who have suffered because of my intercounty career. My girlfriend Siobhán has put up with a lot and stuck with me through thick and thin. For once this year we can plan a holiday and actually go away, and not have to think about bringing boots or runners to do a bit of training. As regards work as well, Ulster Bank have been great employers the last number of years, so I owe it to them now to get back to normality and start putting in the hours that are required there."

Ó'hAilpín's exit was swiftly followed by the departure of his younger brother Aisake, who has returned to Australia and linked up with Melbourne District League outfit Maribyrnong Park. Sean Óg, who was speaking yesterday in the Ambassador Hotel in Cork where he received the Northside City and District Sport Award for December, revealed that Aisake is relishing his second stint as an Australian Rules player.

"He's flying it. It couldn't be going better for him now. He's in Australia, signed up with a Division 2 side. He's working away. It was 30 degrees when I was talking to him now over the weekend and he was going to St Kilda beach. Look, he's happy."

The culmination of his inter-county playing days will free up more time for Sean Óg and he is now hoping to realise a cherished dream next summer of attending one of his brother Setanta's AFL games in Melbourne.

"I always said that I wanted to see Setanta's games live in the season but I never got to do that. It's depending on club championship fixtures but if there's a lull there in May, June and July, I'm going to head over for two to three weeks and watch him play in the MCG. I'd look forward to that because as hard as it's been for me and Aisake here, it's been 20 times harder for him out there not having anyone to support him. He has his team-mates and the management but when things aren't going well, you want your family to confide in."

Ó'hAilpín paid tribute to the players he has soldiered with since making his Cork senior hurling debut in 1996.

"The 14 years saw a lot of ups and downs. The upsides were winning titles and obviously there were low points. But, to be honest, you go beyond the winning and losing. What gives you the satisfaction is the people you share and enjoyed it with, and the characters you were with. Look I'll never sit in a dressing-room again with the likes of Wayne Sherlock, Alan Browne, Brian Corcoran, Joe Deane, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Donal Óg Cusack. There were many other players like that as well. Those guys are legends to me. I'll look back on my career, and say 'you were a lucky man to be sitting next to quality guys like that'. Those guys will do great for the rest of their lives, I know that. They did more than their duty of just playing the game. They treated the sport with the utmost respect."

Ó'hAilpín will continue to line out for his club in 2011.

"I'll still continue to play for Na Piarsaigh, who have probably suffered a small bit over the last few years because basically most of your energy is focused on the Cork setup. I'll give full commitment to them now in hurling and football, and I'll look forward to that."


This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/sean-og-time-to-move-on-140039.html#ixzz1EJfqA8RM


A class act of a man, and will be badly missed. It's a pity he wasn't allowed end things on his own terms. At the end of the day, he was a pure legend. A complete gent, and a great ambassador for the game.

Who knows, we might see him again sometime in the future, but best of look to him with the future and with Na Piarsaigh. Will be strange seeing a Cork team without him.
But we all have to move on and nobody can put it better than himself has.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/mediaplayer.html?features,2909106,2909106,flash,257
Listen to him like 5mins in.

Cork play Tipp in two weeks, Munster Championship is just around the corner.

Should be a good game, hopefully Cork will go on to win, but Munster days out are nearly always days to remember.

Benny Dunne is the most recent casualty on the Tipp side, while Tom Kenny did in his hamstring with Grenagh today, not sure to a full extent of how bad the injury is but is now a massive doubt for the Tipp game. Which obviously will be a massive blow, bringing our injury list to Lorcan, Kenny and Cussen all out, which would mean Jerry, Niall Mac and Cadogan in. Cadogan and Niall Mac should be back for the game, but not 100% sure whether Jerry is up to playing in the mid these days, him and Naughton are pretty similar as well in one sense so we'll have to wait and see. That and having an all Newtown mid line up isn't exactly ideal either. 

Not the most ideal preperations but we'll have to adapt. Kenny's injury is a big blow though.

Cork team to face Galway at (the ridiculous hour of) 7pm in Thurles on Sunday

1. Donal Óg Cusack (Cloyne)
2. Shane O'Neill (Bishopstown)
3. Eoin Dillon (Milford)
4. Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers)
5. John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Ronan Curran (St. Finbarr's)
7. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Tom Kenny (Grenagh)
9. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk)
10. Michael Cussen (Sarsfields)
11. Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields) Captain
12. Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum)
13. Ben O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)
14. Aisake Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)

16. Martin Coleman (Ballinhassig)
17. Shane Murphy (Erin's Own)
18. Michael Walsh (Kildorrery)
19. Ray Ryan (Sarsfields)
20. William Egan (Kilbrin)
21. Graham Callanan (Glen Rovers)
22. Mark O'Sullivan (Dripsey)
23. Jerry O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)
24. Paudie O'Sullivan (Cloyne)

..A fair few surprisese there, especially at 3 and 9. Good luck to all involved, especially the young lads. Can't wait to see how Eoin Dillion goes. Looking forward to it all ready. Summer's almost here!!

Round 6

Cork v Tipperary

Galway v Dublin

Limerick v Kilkenny

Waterford v Offaly

[Cadogan is not a figment of your imagination]

A great article on Eoin Cadogan that I felt deserved a topic of it's own.

Cadogan is not a figment of your imagination

CORK HURLING AND FOOTBALL: TOM HUMPHRIES talks to the versatile young Cork star who defies the conventional wisdom that you can't be a dual player at the top level of the GAA in this day and age

EOIN CADOGAN is a work of fiction. He's not a fake as such, but somebody must have made him up. He has been created as a marketing tool by some ponytailed genius down in the creative department or dreamed up by some geek looking to create a new comic-strip hero.

Eoin Cadogan can't be real.

He's tall and chisel-jawed, handsome enough to make any teammate look like Shrek. As such, you should be able to throw a stone up in the air and almost always have it hit somebody with a bad word to say about Eoin Cadogan. He can't be as decent, loyal, likeable and obliging as he comes across.

And this weekend he can't possibly play football in Derry on Saturday night and hurling in Parnell Park on Sunday. He can't be the last of the dual players.

Or can he?

They haven't gone away you know.

Just when you think all sports science and conventional wisdom tends towards the conclusion that you just can't be a dual player in this day and age some young buck will leap in the air and yell, "the hell you can't".

Eoin Cadogan is such a heap of raw and untreated talent in both games that you expect that he could only progress in one at the expense of the other.

You look at him playing both his sports and the verdict in both codes is that he has a lot of everything but in neither does he have enough of one thing to allow him to survive. Yet he keeps improving at them both.

The graph just keeps tilting upwards and neither Conor Counihan nor Denis Walsh has gotten to the stage yet when they throw their hands in the air in exasperation and demand that Cadogan make a choice.

And with respect, genuine respect, he's not really too worried what you think. He loves the life he lives and he lives the life he loves. This was the dream. It unfolds before him now. Wanted by Cork's footballers on Saturday and by the hurlers on Sunday.

If you grew up as a prodigy in both codes you would cherish that idea, wouldn't you? The next Brian Corcoran. The next JBM. You'd hear it debated in whispers from the time you were out of mini-leagues. He's brilliant at this but he's better at the other.

And anybody who grew up as Eoin Cadogan did would grasp such an opportunity like a lunatic. The only debate he inspired was which game he was worse at.

"Aw, I was just about fecking useless," he says. "My dad never really played any hurling or football, but they got me involved at a young age. I was useless. At football I was atrocious, could never get my games at under-12 and under-14, under-15. I got a bit bigger. That helps with football and they starting throwing me in at full back.

"Meanwhile I was by no means any great hurler and I still don't claim to be, but they let me at it eventually. They were always very supportive at home no matter how bad I was. So when it is like that there is no pressure to choose!"

He kept his options open in case of sudden improvement in either sport. One summer he grew prodigiously which was something. He was better (or least bad) at hurling but his height bought him more breaks in football.

"Until I grew I was 100 per cent a sub in the football. I got a call up to Seandún (the divisional side) when I was about 15, coming on 16. That was a big deal. We were playing Carrigdhoun. I was full back. In the first half my man got 3-3 off me. I was out of my depth. I said to myself what's the point and went and asked the manager to take me off.

"I thought I was doing him a favour, but I can't repeat what he said to me. I had no choice to play on. He saw some bit of good in me. I was getting a bit bigger and stronger. I was no genius but he saw something.

"By the age of 17 I kicked on. I got a call up to the under-21 footballers in Douglas. The club were blooding younger fellas with the senior football. On the 21s I looked very big even though I was still 16 so I was one of the ones they blooded at senior.

"I started a county semi-final at wing forward and after 10 minutes I got the task of going in on Niall Cahalane at midfield. An old dog and a young pup. That sort of thing toughened you up though. Made you a bit cuter and wiser."

And if you were playing football on Niall Cahalane, even if he were eating you alive, why would you quit?

So to hurling.

"I wouldn't say the hurling was much better," he says with a sigh and a laugh. "Not too bad. I loved the hurling a bit more than the football. The main reason for that was I was so bad at the football.

"At 17 I got a call to the Cork minors. That was a lucky break. My name got around the place a bit. I was big. I'd been out with the Douglas senior footballers. So the minor footballers called me in. I kept on in there. Hanging in.

"There is an awful lot of work but you just hang in. If ever now I am talking to a kid or a young player, I would say just because you don't get you game at under-15 or under-16 doesn't mean you won't progress. You can do it if you put your mind to it. Just keep going. Things fall into place."

There have been times when it has been hard. A few years ago he found himself playing Fitzgibbon Cup, under-21 hurling and football for Cork, senior football for Cork, as well as turning out for the under-21 and senior hurling and football teams in Douglas.

"People were telling me that I would burn-out. I don't think it is an issue with the amount I am doing now. Back then, organising myself would have burned me out quicker than playing.

"My mother was good at jotting in training times and taking phone calls during the day. You have to be here now tonight. You have to be there. I'm not an organised person. I'd want to be organising myself a bit better."

This week he trained with the hurlers on Tuesday and the footballers on Wednesday and got named in both sides on Thursday although it will be a shock if he materialises in both places.

On a hurling week he needs to get to the ball alley in Rochestown at least twice to work on his touch with the stick.

It's an eternal juggling act.

As for burnout he has taken the Cork route to avoiding it. A strike with the footballers and a strike with the hurlers since he came on the scene.

He grew up in Douglas, one of four kids, as the place was being subsumed into the city. The family had a small farm and the good fortune to live in a place surrounded by pitches.

"I was lucky enough to get brought up in what is left of the country. Douglas winter training pitch is just a jump over the pitch and I am in there. We are surrounded by pitches, Carrigaline and Douglas rugby clubs, Douglas Hall soccer.

"It was hard getting to all the games though, so when I was 17 they put me on the road in a car. No more Mr and Mrs Taxi for parents."

And that's it. Stress passes him by. His work at the moment is all contracts, no security. "Lucky to have it at all," he shrugs. And people have only one form of address to him. His mental health.

Just sitting inside in the canteen a few minutes ago and somebody collared him. The usual.

"You're mad. What are you playing at. You won't make it at either the way you're going on."

He doesn't argue. "If it comes to a crisis and I feel the performances are bad I'll make a new plan and drive on with that. For now sure I'm 23. I am going to give it a lash. I'm giving it a lash and can only try my best. Then nobody can say I didn't give it a lash."

Fair enough.

Several hours after the interview ends the phone rings. Eoin Cadogan's number flashes up. You sigh. Here we go.

Odds are that he's talked to respective Cork managers Conor Counihan and Denis Walsh and they'd prefer if he kept out of the papers. For now. So could you scrap the interview. For now.

Maybe later in the summer when the odds are impossibly high, Counihan or Walsh might encourage him to talk.

Yeah, right.

Rule number one in this scenario. Don't make it easy for him. Lay the guilt on thick and heavy.

"Hello? It's Eoin Cadogan Eh!" "Yes? What is it?

"Really sorry, I was wondering could you do me a favour please?"

"Tell me what it is and I will see whether I will do you a favour.

"One thing I forgot, I forgot to mention was my two neighbours. On summer evenings when I'd be growing up we'd play an All-Ireland in the back garden every evening. Mick Kingston and Pa Murphy. They were grown men. I know it would mean a lot to the lads. They meant a lot to me growing up. It was great crack, they'd stand with the father. I'd be one end of the garden. They'd be the other end.

"Driving the ball at each other. That was the highlight of every day. We'd a good-size garden. All we were short was a set of jerseys."

A dual intercounty star who calls you back for such a gentle recollection and to thank a couple of neighbours ?

Gives the game away.

He is fictional but top-drawer fiction.


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0327/1224267172036.html


What do ye think, is time passed the dual player?
Saturday night with the footballers, Sunday with the hurlers, with shin splints apparently.

With the commitment expected for both codes at the top level, with Cork being such a demanding county with both codes, it is an awful lot to ask of the lad to keep up what he's putting in.
Cadogan's character means he'll do just about everything to play for both and wont complain either.

But is it realistic to think he'll still be playing both..Surely it's only a matter of time before injury/burn out or a manager steps in.

But is it possible, at this level to play both codes in this day in age?

[McCarthy retirement confirmed12 January 2010]

Old(ish) news but it's confirmed here so I thought it deserved a topic of it's own.

McCarthy retirement confirmed

12 January 2010

Cork boss Denis Walsh has confirmed Timmy McCarthy's retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Castlelyons farmer was one of the most decorated hurlers in the modern game, winning All-Ireland titles at senior, under 21, minor and intermediate level. He also won a National League medal in his debut season of 1998 and an Inter-provincial medal with Munster in 2007.

McCarthy, who represented the Rebels in both hurling and football up to under 21 level, first came to prominence with the famed hurling nursery St. Colman's, Fermoy before going on to win an All-Ireland minor medal in 1995 with Donal Og Cusack and Sean Og O hAilpin among his team-mates.
The flying half forward, who often came in for unfair criticism from Cork fans, won back-to-back All-Ireland under 21 titles in 1997 and '98 before helping the Rebels to Liam McCarthy Cup glory in 1999.

McCarthy garnered two more All-Ireland senior medals in 2004 and 2005. In all, he won five Munster SHC medals and was a key player for divisional side Imokilly in their 1997 and '98 Cork SHC successes.

"Timmy has been a fantastic servant to Cork over 10 years or so," fellow East Corkman Walsh said.

"I was always a big fan of his and his style of play and he's a player that owes Cork hurling nothing."




...He has been an absolute legend and a half, he is a complete gent and the work (for some unknown reason) was never fully appreciated by a lot of the Cork supporters, he was such a work horse and gave so much and sacrificed so much over the years. And for whatever reason, made the scapegoat when the blame wouldn't belong on his shoulders.

A magnificent servant to Cork hurling over the years, he was never the most skilfull of players, but he gave himself for the team and he'd run himself into the ground for that extra inch. Gave 110% all of the time. And whenever asked he gave more.
He'll always be remembered for the great days.
For me, it'll always be his performance in 99 final after he moved to midfield, without him we mightn't have won that day, the goal off the bench against Tipp in Kilarney in 04, keeping Tommy Walsh in his pocket that year..and oh so many more days out. Oh and that terrible white bird cage he had on his head, efficient, but terrible looking. Legendary though.

He owes Cork absolutey nothing and will always be remembered for the work, the run yourself to the bone, work that he put in and all he has done for Cork over the many years he's served the jersey with the passion and determination that he has done.

Thanks for the memories lad.

[5. John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh)]

The Cork teams been named for the Offaly match, and genuinely it's, I don't know. I mean this team is baffling. I mean that team could loose to Offaly.

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Offaly in Saturdays All-Ireland Qualifier is listed below

1. Donal Óg Cusack (Cloyne)

2. Shane O'Neill (Bishopstown)

3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)

4. Shane Murphy (Erin's Own)

5. John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh)

6. Ronan Curran (St. Finbarr's)

7. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)

8. Tom Kenny (Grenagh)

9. Tadhg Og Murphy (Sars)

10. Jerry O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)

11. Pa Cronin (Bishopstown)

12. Timmy McCarthy (Castlelyons)....continues to defy logic.

13. Ben O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)

14. Aisake Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)

15. Kieran Murphy (Erin's Own)...apparently that's Sars Murphy, not Hero.

No Horgan? No Naughton?..etc

Now obviously Walsh and co know a hell of a lot more then we do, and there is the fact that one has to put some marginal selections down to the fact the management are the ones working with the players and have their own ideas, but this line up is so flawed. I mean it is an incredibly strange selection and from what we've seen, it's flawed on a number of fronts. It actually leaves you wondering whether he's completely lost the plot.

Slight few little problems with this team..

The half forward line. God only knows where we're supposed to win the ball from. None of them are effective when forced to play with their backs to goals.
Cronin is the only target, who can be when pursued dispossessed easily second time round. I mean how can we expect to win puckouts with that team? And how are we supposed to win the game without winning puckouts.

There's not a lot of hurling aggression in a certain few positions.

I can't explain why Horgan isn't playing, he's our best scoring forward along with Ben, he's hopefully out futurefree taker and penalty taker. Why not leave him take a free or two more so he can get used to the pressure.

And then you've got Gardiner at no 5...again? FFS.

A serious step backwards imo and it gives Offaly a serious chance of winning this match. If the right team was selected that wouldn't really be a question, but this? Unless there have been some serious changes of form and such in training I can't explain this selection.  

Oh on another note, good to see Tadgh Og given a go, he deserves his chance, I just hope he isn't too lightweight.
Also, bar going to Tullamore, which I hope to be but I might have to cover at work, there is no way of seeing this bar going there, which . Its not on TV, not on the RTE website. Absolute bollocks. And it's at fuckin 7.00 all the way up in Offaly. What a great night for Cork hurling this could be.  
This could be potentially one of the most embarasing nights (no offense to Offaly) that Cork hurling has had in a long time.

Hopefully though the management have seen a lot in training that we haven't seen on the pitch and know what they're doing.
Some have been going very well with their clubs and such but when it comes to IC, they could flop.

[Cork 5-17 Tipperary 5-17Round-up by Coilin Duffy]

After the undescribable draw between Cork on Tipp Minors, and the outstanding Cork v Tipp U21 game, I felt it only right that I start this topic where U21/minor.etc can be discussed. (If there's one there all ready that I didn't see, by all means delete this topic.)


I was at the Cork Tipp Minor match on Weds night, almost didn't make it, but thank God I did, because that was one of the best minor matches I have ever seen and one of the most enjoyable.
I was going hoping for a win, not expecting to be treated to one of the most entertaining games I've ever seen, at any level. And that's not, in anyway, an exageration.

And 10 goals and 34 points later, it ended 5-17 each at the end of extra time, with the replay to be set for next Weds.

Another classic to add to the Cork v Tipp collection. There have been so many at this stage, and it's great to see, despite everything said and done that there are still classic games between great rivalries.

The game was hard to keep up with all the action as it seemed to be relentless waves of attacks from both teams. It wasn't perfect by any means, there were mistakes, but it was an outstanding game, between 2 of the best minor teams in the country and some of the best most promising players in Ireland. It's unfair that one of these sides wont have the chance to go on and compete for the All Ireland, all the work, and talent of one of the best minor teams in the country, gone to waste because of a stupid draw, just like with the U21 Cork Tipp match. But whichever team does go through, hopefully Cork, should have no problem playing and beating Kilkenny.

The game was really something else. I couldn't do the game justice if I tried, so..(This doesn't either but at least the spelling should be right, lol.)

Cork 5-17 Tipperary 5-17

Round-up by Coilin Duffy

The final pairing for the Munster Minor Hurling Championship is unknown after two cracking semi-finals tonight which saw Cork and Tipperary finish level after-extra-time, while Waterford progressed to the final. After both Cork and Tipperary had produced a cracking under 21 quarter-final at Semple Stadium a few weeks ago, the corresponding minor teams didn't disappoint at Pairc Ui Rinn. Following 80 minutes of pulsating hurling, a replay will be required to separate these sides who finished 5-17 apiece after-extra time.

Amazingly Tipperary led by eight points at approaching half-time in extra-time, but Cork blazed a trail to edge two points in front before a last gasp goal for Tipperary put them back in front. Cork would have the last laugh with an injury time point from a 65′ and the sides must meet again – at a venue likely to be Semple Stadium next week.

This game produced end to end hurling, with Cork leading by the minimum on a 1-07 to 1-06 half-time score-line, with Jamie Coughlan netting the Rebels goal and John O'Dwyer finishing Tipp's three-pointer. Cork began the second half brightly with Eoin O'Sullivan raising a green flag two minutes after the resart.

However Tipperary weren't far from their southern counterparts, with Brian Stapleton adding their second goal, after his move to corner forward reaped dividends. It looked like the visitors had edged their way to a Munster final with a four-point lead late on, but Cork responded with 1-01 without reply.In the second minute of injury time substitute Brian Harnett completed a Rebel hat-trick to force extra-time at 3-12 to 2-15.

Tipperary looked unstoppable in the first period with David Butler and David Collins netting goals as they held a 4-17 to 3-13 half-time lead, having played against the  wind. Cork however had other ideas on the restart, and left Tipperary shellshocked as an eight-point deficit quickly was wiped out to ensure the Rebels led by two. However, Tipperary struck for a late goal before Cork's final point from a 65′ to ensure a replay date.

It was a hell of a game, and a complete privilage to have seen it, can't wait for the replay.

It's not for another week or so but when you're bored you're bored.

I've absolutely no idea who'll win this game. There are so many ifs and buts before the thing even starts. We'll be in a better position to judge when the teams are named but I think, I hope that Cork will shade it, barely. (But of course I'd say that.) It'll go down to the wire closer then Cork's last 2 games and harder then any that Kikenny have played since in the semi last season.
For years both teams seemed to cancel each other out.
A lot will depend on team selection, especially from Cork. Who plays FB and who plays up front being the main question. Cork have played some very difficult games all ready this season, and KK well, have played none really, time will tell if that will work for or against the teams.
It's a hard one to call, and Kilkenny will for some reason have the favorite tag but I think Cork will just shade it.

[Rebels make adjustmentsTuesday, July 15th]

Rebels make adjustments
Tuesday, July 15th

Cork boss Ger McCarthy has named his team to take on Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship qualifier series this Saturday.

There are several positional swaps to the side from the one that sluggishly beat Dublin by five points last weekend, while there are two personnel changes.

Eoin Cadogan loses his place in the half-back line, as Ronan Curran comes in at centre back, with captain John Gardiner switching from the centre out to right wing-back.

In the forwards, Patrick Cronin comes in at right-wing, with Neil Ronan the man to lose out, as positions swaps take place. Ben O'Connor moves in from the wing to the corner, while Joe Deane switches from the corner to full-forward, as Cathal Naughton moves from right-corner to the left, on paper at least.

Cork (SH v Galway): D Og Cusack; S O'Neill, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; J Gardiner [capt], R Curran, S Og OhAilpin; T Kenny, J O'Connor; P Cronin, N McCarthy, T McCarthy; B O'Connor, J Deane, C Naughton.