The Echo Sport Podcast

It's the calm before the storm as The Echo Sport Podcast crew previews the Munster hurling final.If it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt, then we are in for a fiery battle by the Lee on Sunday as Cork and Limerick collide for the fifth time this season, going back to the preseason Munster Hurling League. The Treaty had the upper hand in the first three meetings while Cork snatched a narrow win in April when the absence of Aaron Gillane and the dismissal of Cian Lynch were major factors.This time, Cork have home advantage again but are without Ciarán Joyce and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon against a full-strength Limerick. On that basis, John Kiely's charges are favourites, even if Cork haven't lost a game in league or championship in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in two years.The Rebels have an excellent record against Limerick, with four championship wins across the last three seasons but Fitzgibbon was Man of the Match in three of those, which underlines what a loss he is. In contrast, Dan Morrissey is back and will be tasked with outmuscling Brian Hayes.Still, Cork will tear into it with the pressure off in many ways, as the losers will still be expected to beat Offaly to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.KEY QUESTIONS:Can the younger guns like William Buckley, Barry Walsh and Diarmuid Healy fire in Fitzie's absence though? Who will be able to handle Gillane, who smashed two goals against Waterford? Can in-form Mark Coleman, Rob Downey, Tim O'Mahony and Shane Barrett offer match-winning leadership?There's also a discussion on Patrick Horgan's reaction to Ben O'Connor's comments on Cork's work-rate.At minor level, the U17s were brilliant at times in their All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Kilkenny. They now join Tipp, Limerick and Galway in the last four.At club level, there's a look at the stage of play across the hurling leagues, with Midleton and Sars on course to meet in the Division 1 decider.The minor footballers are back in action this weekend, taking on Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final.Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is 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.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew is back to discuss another bumper weekend of Cork GAA action.Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is 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.While neither of the senior teams were in action over the weekend, it didn't prevent the hurlers from hogging the headlines.The news that Darragh Fitzgibbon will miss the rest of the Munster series due to an operation is just the latest blow after injuries to Rob Downey and Ciarán Joyce and another hamstring issue for the luckless Robbie O'Flynn.Results over the weekend which saw Limerick beat Waterford and Clare put Tipp to the sword probably didn't lift the mood either, as it reinforced what a disaster the All-Ireland final loss last July was while keeping the Banner in the mix for the provincial silverware.If Cork are beaten by four points or more against Clare next Sunday and Limerick get the better of already eliminated Waterford, then it's a Limerick-Clare Munster final. Now some fans would argue it would be benficial to avoid another showdown with the Treaty, Cork have won three games on the bounce and will be keen to preserve their unbeaten record in the Páirc going back to the Clare loss in April 2024.Barry Walsh is the obvious option to start with Darragh Fitz out but could Cork go with Eoin Downey centre-back to restore Tim O'Mahony at midfield and bring Cormac O'Brien in on the wing? How the players fared in last Saturday's A v B game at Fota Island will dictate the management's approach.At club level, Declan Dalton offered a reminder of his class by nailing 0-12 in Fr O'Neill's win over St Finbarr's. Has he a chance of forcing his way back into the match-day 26?On the football front, Cork host Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening, where they'll need to perform better and more consistently across the 70-plus minutes than they did in Killarney. A fully fit Dara Sheedy would add some needed creativity to the half-forward line.Even if they lose, John Cleary's side will have another shot at the qualifiers in the losers round but beating Meath is essential if they're to make a realistic push for the latter stages of the All-Ireland series.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew is back to discuss another bumper weekend of Cork GAA action.Starting on the front foot, the hurlers got the job done away to Waterford, in a tough and tight battle down east.It makes it three wins on the bounce for the hurlers and given they were without defensive pillars Rob Downey and Ciarán Joyce, the victory in Walsh Park was hugely satisfying, even if it took all their grit and experience to prevail.The black cards had a huge bearing on the game and there's no doubt the Déise had every right to feel aggrieved. The first against Mark Fitzgerald on Brian Hayes was a marginal call though probably worked out well for them, given Alan Connolly's goal was ruled out for a penalty that he then missed. Plus Waterford scored Cork in the next 10 minutes.The decision against Jack Fagan also looked harsh, given there was a covering defender and the penalty, buried by Mark Coleman, opened up the four-point gap that stood at the final whistle.Cork though, could only worry about themselves and had they failed to win would have been left to rue the wide count of 12 to just three, and none in the second half, for Waterford.Cork have one foot in the Munster final before the last group game with Clare but we outline the scenario where the Rebels finish third on scoring difference, however unlikely that looks.Unfortunately, the Munster football final went the way of so many disappointing days in Fitzgerald Stadium since the last success, way back in 1995.It's now 14 years and counting since Cork collected the provincial title and they simply didn't make enough to the strong wind in the first half in Killarney to upset the odds this time.Goal-scorer Brian O'Driscoll was superb but none of the other Rebels were in the Man of the Match conversation. To have any hope, they needed the core of the team to catch fire.Up front Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones combined for 0-6 but there wasn't enough creativity in a front six missing Dara Sheedy and Brian Hurley. At the other end, not alone did David Clifford slam over 1-6, Tony Brosnan popped off the bench to shoot five points.The challenge now is to park it up and reset for Meath on Saturday week.Now in its fourth 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.

It's a bumper weekend ahead for Cork GAA and The Echo Sport Podcast crew discuss the key games against Waterford and Kerry.Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is 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.First up on Saturday evening, the hurlers travel to Walsh Park, where they were beaten two years ago, looking to seal their spot in the All-Ireland series with a game to spare. The loss of Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey to injury destablises the defence and poses a few selection headaches for Ben O'Connor and his selectors. Do they rejig the team, bringing Tim O'Mahony to the half-back line and Darragh Fitzgibbon to midfield, given they have stronger forward options in reserve? Or do they look to the experience of Damien Cahalane and Ger Millerick to fill in?There's also Daire O'Leary and Micheál Mullins in reserve, who featured in the league, or Cormac O'Brien who started last year's league and Munster finals.Having beaten Tipp and Limerick, the Rebels are moving well but their hosts this weekend will also fancy their chances and must win to save their season.On Sunday, the footballers travel over the county bounds looking for a first victory on enemy territory in 31 years and to land an overdue Munster title, bridging a gap to 2012.John Cleary must plan without veteran forward Brian Hurley but the vibes are good coming out of the camp before the clash.Kerry have a pile of injuries of their own but they still possess two of the deadliest forwards in the game in David and Paudie Clifford. Getting the match-ups right here will be crucial to Cork's prospects.The Echo panel also discuss the latest underage action, including fine performances by the minors in both codes and a cracking Munster U20 final which saw Cork come up just short. For the U20 hurlers, Barry Walsh was electric in beating Clare but now they must face them again in the provincial semi-final and he could be tied up with the seniors... Which game is more important and if he's out how will the U20s adapt?

The Cork hurlers two from two to start the round robin series for the first time since its inception in 2018 and the footballers into a first Munster final in five years... a good weekend's work.The Echo Sport Podcast crew break down the action from Thurles and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and access the state of play with time to take a breath before the action resumes after the May Bank Holiday. Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is 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.On the hurling front, Cork emptied the tank to pull off a victory against Limerick, who, despite losing Aaron Gillane to a training-ground injury and Cian Lynch to a second-half red card, came very close to winning on Leeside. For the hosts, it's now 11 games in league and championship without defeat since two years ago when going under to Clare left them on the brink.It's been an incredible run, as Man of the Match and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon told RTE: "It’s just unbelievable here, these are the best days of our lives.”Now look we all know it's an All-Ireland we crave but that shouldn't take from the effort this group of players are putting in to try and end the famine. They had a ropey start on Sunday and didn't manage the last quarter as effectively as we'd have liked with an extra man but Limerick haven't hoovered up 15 major trophies in nine years for nothing.They remain a phenomenal outfit but Cork are in an extremely strong position to make it into the All-Ireland series with plenty to work on as well. Injuries to Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey are a concern, the puck-outs remain a work in progress and some of the younger guns are still learning. But there are no shortage of positives either, with the goal threat to the fore once more and huge leadership being shown by the more experienced hurlers. On the football front, Cork got going after a sluggish opening half at sun-sorched Semple Stadium before powering to a 15-point victory over Tipp. Being able to call on Ruairí Deane, Colm O'Callaghan and Brian Hurley from the bench highlighted the gulf in class between the sides but Cork are as well set as they've been in a while to rattle Kerry in Killarney.Getting a first win in Fitzgerald Stadium in 31 years will be another sceál of course but there's big interest in the game and John Cleary's charges deserve massive support. Look what difference it makes to the hurlers...

Cork hurlers were fully deserving winners in their Munster opener in Thurles. The Echo Podcast crew break down the big game and look ahead to round two against Limerick.After a tight first half on Sunday, they dominated the second period, scored more from play and had better balance up front than a Tipp side who didn't fire at all in comparison to the electric All-Ireland final efforts. For Cork, it doesn't atone for losing in Croke on any level really, but it puts them on the front foot for 2026, which is all that matters right now.Debutants Barry Walsh and William had 0-10 between them but the defensive solidity provided by the likes of Rob Downey, Niall O'Leary and Seán O'Donoghue, who have been heavily questioned in recent weeks, was just as important. Patrick Collins varied his puck-outs well and was another who is often doubted inside the county bounds.Of course, as Ben O'Connor pointed out afterwards at the weekend, there's no benefit in getting too excited about a single victory when you could still fail to even make it out of the provincial bearpit: "Limerick are the best team in the country for the last 10 years and we know that we'll have to do our best to put it up to them next weekend.”We preview the second showdown with the Treaty in the space of three weeks. Who marks Aaron Gillane, Gearóid Hegarty and Cathal O'Neill and will Cork get anything like the space they were afforded by the Tipp half-back line, who coughed up 0-12 from play? It only gets tougher from here on!There's also the latest on the Cork minor and U20 games and a round-up of the club hurling leagues, with Midleton and Erin's Own out in front in the top two divisions.There's a review of the Cork U20s' terrific win over Kerry in the Páirc. It was no classic but a significant result given their underage struggles against the rivals and given Dara Sheedy went off injured in the first half.The seniors have a Munster semi-final next Saturday, up in Thurles again in what will be a low-profile affair but where a strong performance will be expected to set up a trip to Kerry at the start of May.Now in its fourth 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.

The wait is over, hurling championship returns this Sunday with an All-Ireland final rematch in Thurles.The Rebel pain from the defeat in Croke Park won't go away with a victory over Tipp on their turf but it would give them with a great chance of progressing from Munster again. While lifting Liam MacCarthy is the aim, all that matters over the coming weeks is that Cork do enough to escape the provincial bearpit.Ben O'Connor had a strong start to his tenure during the league but two recent defeats to Limerick, including the final on Easter Sunday, have left the supporters worrying the hurlers are vulnerable. Injuries to Diarmuid Healy and Seán O'Donoghue are a concern but in Barry Walsh, who is withheld from the U20s this week ahead of his debut, and William Buckley, they've unearthed two lively and direct forwards.There are plenty of talking points going into the clash at Semple Stadium that the Echo Podcast crew discuss, starting with Walsh prioritising the senior clash when Tipp tyro Darragh McCarthy balanced both grades in 2025. There were puck-out issues in the Gaelic Grounds but were Cork holding back options for the championship? Will the half-back line man-mark Tipp's dangerman, particularly Jake Morris, and risk getting pulled out of position like they were by Limerick?What tricks does Liam Cahill have up his sleeve? Will Tipp try a sweeper again?There's also a look at the minors' opening round win over Waterford.On the football front, Cork strangely performed far better against the wind in their win over Limerick than with the gale at their backs. Up 15 points at the break, they were outscored by six in the second half by a Treaty side relegated from Division 3.It was a very disappointing second half in the Páirc so they've plenty to work on before tackling Tipp. Kick-outs were the major talking point as Cork replaced Patrick Doyle with Micheál Aodh Martin in goal and still struggled on restarts, losing 10 out of 25.There's also a look back at the U20 footballers' draw in Clare as they've Kerry next up.The ladies footballers had a great comeback against Galway, lifting the Division 1 league for the first time in seven seasons.Now in its fourth 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.

How concerning was that league final loss to Limerick on Sunday?Well, and it would have been the same if Cork had completed an unlikely comeback from 10 points down in TUS Gaelic Grounds last weekend, it will all be framed by the Munster championship and especially the opening two games, up in Semple Stadium and against the Treaty in the Páirc.If Ben O'Connor's side are on the back foot after that pair of matches in the space of eight days, everything they've done this year so far will be questioned.A couple of good performances and relinquishing the league crown to the Treaty will be viewed as a learning curve. However, for the moment, there are some real issues after the action on Shannonside. Cork only managed 0-3 from play from their half-forward line, a key sector in their previous defeats of Limerick. Three-time midfield All-Star Darragh Fitzgibbon's redeployment to number 12 didn't reap a reward here, even if Tommy O'Connell and Tim O'Mahony held their own.Cork's half-back line opted to man-mark but there was no protection in front of Aaron Gillane, who did wreck. That tactic only works if Cork snare sufficient dirty ball and move the sliotar quickly out of the crowded middle third.  Ciarán Joyce fared well in his new full-back berth but Cork missed his pace and surges from the wing. Like the Fitzgibbon switch, does his placement benefit the team?William Buckley repaid the selectors' faith in him with 0-3 while Brian Hayes was a menace but Alan Connolly was peripheral. With Diarmuid Healy injured, they might need to star U20 Barry Walsh against Tipp for his energy. The Echo Podcast crew also discuss the U20 hurlers' victory over Limerick and preview the minors' opener in Waterford. There's also a look at the weekend league action, where a number of the Rebels who didn't feature in the squad for the league final showed their quality, particularly Ben Cunningham and Shane Kingston.In football terms, there's a preview of another Cork-Limerick clash, with John Cleary's side raging favourites in their Munster quarter-final and a look at the U20s, who are deep in the heart of Clare on Thursday night.Now in its fourth 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.