A look back and beyond
As this is my last offering for 2024, I’m taking a look back on a year that had many highlights and its usual fair share of disappointments.
Hurling
The Cork hurlers gave us some great days and nights, and as we are now well into the Christmas festivities, they along with their football counterparts are already back training for the coming season.
The league had good and bad results but with defeats in rounds 1 and 2 of the championship to Clare and Waterford, it had all the hallmarks of another short summer.
However all that changed on a balmy Saturday night in Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, full house and Munster champions Limerick in town.
Who will ever forget the events of that dramatic match? The game of the year or so we thought at the time!
Limerick were leading by 2 game deep in injury time. Shane Kingston was hauled down by Kyle Hayes - black card and penalty. Hoggie nails it; Brian Hayes adds a point and Cork win by 2. A pitch invasion and championship ambitions were back on track.
Tipperary were beaten a week later, Waterford fail to get the one point they need and Pat Ryan’s men finish 3rd and into the All-Ireland series.
Offaly and Dublin are dispatched comfortably and we were back to Croke Park with familiar opposition waiting in the All-Ireland semi-final - 5 in a row seeking Limerick, on the back of 6 on the bounce in Munster.
It was yet another dramatic encounter at the end of which the 5 on the bounce was over with Cork into the final with Clare waiting.
The decider will go down as one of the best of modern times, featuring a goal of the year contender from Robert Downey, matched and maybe bettered by Tony Kelly.
A late free from Hoggie forces extra-time. Then Clare were ahead by 1 point and referee Johnny Murphy ignores a blatant foul on Robbie O’Flynn meaning defeat in heartbreaking circumstances.
Amazingly there was people in HQ that day who were heading for home until they were informed extra-time would be played, and then a few weeks later it was decided that finals will go to a replay.
Cork lit up the summer and hopefully the team will continue to evolve and grow and with 5 All-Stars reflecting their contribution to a fascinating championship.
Football
No such drama for John Cleary’s side but a victory of note over Donegal in a packed Pairc Ui Rinn the highlight of a season that ended at hands of Louth in the Preliminary QF.
A huge year ahead a tough Division 2 of the league where promotion must be a priority and also a bit of rebuilding been done with 6 players opting out.
Limerick in the QF of the championship with Kerry waiting, again in the semi-final.
Underage
It was disappointing in both codes especially in football; wins over low quality opposition before succumbing to Kerry in both minor and under 20 and the minors’ heavy defeat to Mayo in the All-Ireland QF is a real concern. Hurling was just a tad better, and, another poor refereeing decision denied the under 20 hurlers a place in the Munster Final.
Camogie
A brilliant season ends with the Senior and Intermediate All-Ireland double achieved on an August Sunday in Croke Park.
Ger Manley was named manager of the year, Laura Hayes was Senior POTY and between both teams a total of 14 All-Stars were picked up.
Next up is the league and then the focus on winning the 3 in a row.
St Finbarr’s were crowned county senior champions.
Ladies football
A tough season was not helped by a catalogue of injuries to key players and the retirement of some very experienced players who had backboned the team for years; relegation to Division 2 of the league was no real surprise.
To their credit they regrouped and were much improved in the championship exiting at the semi-final stage to Galway.
Shane Roynane called time as manager with Joe Carroll assuming the role.
There was a new name on the County Senior Championship as Aghada win their 1st title, ending Mourneabbey’s long reign as champions.
County championships
There were good and poor games overall, especially in the Premier Senior Hurling which never really ignited - Imokilly were comfortable and deserving winners.
Glen Rovers returned to the top tier, easing to the Senior A title while Watergrasshill, Lisgoold, and Russell Rovers also picking up championship honours.
What of Sars beaten in the county final? They displayed remarkable resolve by winning their 1st Munster title and now are looking forward to an All-Ireland final v Na Fianna from Dublin in Croke Park on 19 January.
Similarly, there was great success for Watergrasshill and Russell Rovers as they too have All-Ireland finals to look forward to a week earlier on 12 January.
Congratulations to all 3, and also to Glen Rovers minor champions and Midleton under 21 winners.
In football Castlehaven make it back to back titles and a 7th in all beating for the 2nd year in a row Nemo Rangers in the final.
Carrigaline make a swift return to top grade by winning the Senior A championship. Kilshannig, Glanmire and Kilmurry were all championship winners and the latter for good measure are crowned Munster champions and have an All-Ireland semi-final in January to occupy them over Christmas.
Bishopstown won the under 21 and Ballincollig are the minor champions.
Kieran Kingston guided Tracton back up to Premier Junior Hurling while Cork hurler Sean O’Donoghue kicked the winning point as Inniscarra were crowned junior football champions.
As for football, it will be a totally different game and hopefully spectacle in the new season and how players, officials and management react will be interesting.
County championship draws
There are some interesting groups across all grades and before a ball is struck a lot can happen that may shape the outcome of some games.
In Premier Senior Hurling, Sars will hopefully begin as All-Ireland champions against fellow East Cork side Fr O’Neill’s as Glen Rovers welcome their return to the top grade playing Erin’s Own.
Group 2 sees Midleton, Charleville, Newtownshandrum and Newcestown face off. The North Cork derby between Newtown and Charleville should be a fascinating encounter.
3 city clubs are in the final group and Blackrock v St Finbarr’s will be the 4th time in 5 years they will meet; Kanturk and Douglas complete the quartet.
A bit early to be picking 6 to progress, but we take a punt on Sars, Glen Rovers, Midleton, Charleville, Blackrock and St Finbarr’s - that may come back to bite me.
Big group in Senior A; Bride Rovers and Blarney again, with Wategrasshill and Courcey Rovers - not easy to pick 2 from that.
In Premier Senior Football, just like hurling there are a few repeat pairings and with just 12 clubs, it is unavoidable.
Champions and 3 in a row seeking Castlehaven open against Mallow with Newcestown and Valley Rovers in the mix as well.
Group 2 will once again see Clonakilty in a West Cork derby with Carbery Rangers; the ‘Barrs and newly promoted Carrigaline complete the line up.
The final group has a city southside feel to it with Nemo Rangers, St Michaels and Douglas joined by Ballincollig.
Winning your opening game is key in any group as a defeat makes the 2nd game a pressure one.
6 to progress: Castlehaven, Newcestown, St Finbarr’s, Clonakilty, Nemo Rangers and Ballincollig.
We will have a look at the other grades and groups as the season progress.
Long pucks
One of the traditions of the Christmas period is the long puck events held by many clubs and both Glen Rovers and Sars hold theirs on St Stephens Day.
RIP
Sadly during the year many stalwarts of our games including camogie and ladies football were taken from us, and we are thinking of their families at this time of the year.
Remembering especially the family of young Glen Rovers camogie player Sarah Kate O’Meara who passed away suddenly in June. It was a devastating blow to her family and her teammates, but they did her memory proud on the field. The senior team reached the county semi-final while her minor colleagues were crowned league champions.
Thanks
As this is my final column for the 2024 a sincere thanks to everyone that made it possible, Brian and Niamh Áine of this parish.
To players, selectors and managers of all teams that I dealt with at both club and county level especially Pat Ryan, John Cleary, Ger Manley and Shane Roynane who were so co-operative at all times in victory and defeat.
I’m not sure how many club venues I went to - it was a lot, but at all times the welcome was warm as were the tea and sandwiches.
Derek Connolly and his colleagues in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn made life very easy for the press.
To the Cork GAA office staff particularly Daniel Lane, a big help especially around ticket time.
Francis Kenneally has completed his 3 year term as County Board PRO and his work and help at all times was really appreciated and is deserving of our thanks and best wishes to his successor Ger O’Sullivan.
My colleagues in 96FM/C103 were so helpful, my travelling companion Denis Hurley shortened many a journey and will do so again in the new year; Google Maps is already looked up, and of course to my assistant reporter Elle May a big help in keeping an eye on substitutions.
Happy Christmas to all and hopefully the coming season will be as rewarding and better for us all.
It’s time to enjoy the break, refresh and get ready to go again in 2025. Corcaigh abú!