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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Frustrated clubs finally get their teeth into state of football in Cork
THE state of Cork football is exercising the minds of the county's Board executive and delegates once again. A 'hugely well attended' meeting of Cork GAA's county committee Tuesday was devoted in its entirety to an open discussion and debate on all aspects of Cork football. The meeting ran for over three hours. CEO Kevin O'Donovan had pledged an open discussion once Cork were out of all football championships. Media are no longer welcome to cover the meetings, but a bulletin issued Wednesday confirmed there was a 'brief review' of the previous five-year plan from 2019 to 2024, with the CEO supportive of it and its aspirations. That vision began promisingly with All-Ireland minor and Under 20 titles in Year 1, but thereafter, Cork has fallen further and further behind at under age level, with question marks over coaching and football philosophies. The 'Corkness' espoused as a positive in the document is now viewed more often in a pejorative context. Cork schools have struggled to make any impact at Munster colleges level, prompting suggestions that regional 'pods' should be considered to upweight efforts in key areas of the county. There's been no Cork winner of the Corn Uí Mhuirí since 2011 and none in the U17 Frewen Cup 2016. The irony won't be lost that the winners in both instances, Coláiste Chríost Rí, is now competing at Senior B level in the province. Previously Kevin O'Donovan told a Chamber breakfast in the city that the code needs some "dangerous ideas" to rouse it from its slumber. One of those was to consider competing in Leinster in some grades. The idea was floated Tuesday night of taking part in Leinster's U17 football league prior to competing in the Munster Championship. That said, Cork are strongly in support of a Munster Council proposal tabled recently to seed the top two counties from the League for the following year's senior championship. Similar recommendations have been made around the under age grades. Cork will attend a meeting with Munster chiefs on July 22 to discuss the formats for the U17 and U20 championships with a view to introducing a more equitable round-robin format. At a spring meeting of the Board, Carbery delegate Tom Lyons (Clonakilty) demanded a full discussion and change. "We have been doing the same thing for the last 10 years, more or less. The development squads aren't working, they are not producing. Everything needs to be discussed. The famous five-year (2019-24) plan, we still haven't had a discussion on the aspirations in that.' Tuesday's meeting debated a breadth of topics, from the Cork seniors to adult and U21 competition structures, to under age across minor and the development squads which are fundamental to the future wellbeing of the game in Cork. Whether those development squads are progressing in all the right areas is an important issue, though at senior level, the conditioning of the Cork squad in this year's championships was markedly improved on previous campaigns. Primary and post-primary schools and coaching was a hot button topic at the meeting, as was the development of coaches. Naturally, a regional flavour occasionally colours these discussions. It was noted Tuesday that there was only one city club represented in the minor panel this campaign despite the fact that three city clubs were involved in the Premier 1 finals at U16 level last year. Said Cork PRO Ger O'Sullivan: "The volume and extent of commentary and observations noted throughout the meeting was such that, rather than issue a regular post-meeting bulletin, Cork GAA will instead develop a more detailed and considered report, which will issue in a week's time, and will be published on An appointments committee has also been set up from members of the Board's executive to look at management appointments for the future. Senior football boss John Cleary has not indicated yet whether he wishes to continue into a fifth season in charge. Ray O'Mahony's term as U20 manager is done while Keith Ricken is due to remain in charge of the county's minor footballers in 2026.
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Draws for 2025/26 Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí made
The draws for the 2025/26 Harty Cup and Corn Ui Mhuirí competitions have been made. The draws - which usually take place in August, prior to the start of the academic term - took place a number of months early this year. The competitions are due to start next October, with several Cork derbies set to take place in the group stages. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG and CBC Cork are grouped together in the Harty Cup, as are Midleton CBS and St Colman's College Fermoy. In the Corn Uí Mhuirí, Clonakilty CC, Skibbereen CS and Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig have been drawn together, while Hamilton HS will take on Patrician Academy Mallow. TUS Dr Harty Cup 2025/26 Group 1: St Flannan's Ennis, St Joseph's CBS Nenagh, Ardscoil Rís, Cashel CS. Group 2: DLS Waterford, CBS HS Clonmel, Midleton CBS, St Colman's College Fermoy. Group 3: Thurles CBS, John The Baptist CS Hospital, Doon CBS, Blackwater CS Lismore. Group 4: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Our Lady's Templemore, St Joseph's Tulla, CBC Cork. TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí 2025/26 Group 1: PS Inbhear Scéine Kenmare, St Francis Rochestown, CBS HS Clonmel, St Flannan's Ennis. Group 2: Hamilton HS Bandon, Patrician Academy Mallow, IS Killorglin, Presentation Milltown. Group 3: Mercy Mounthawk Tralee, Cashel CS, Tralee CBS, St Pat's Castleisland. Group 4: St Brendan's Killarney, Clonakilty CC, Skibbereen CS, Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Familiar with the big occasion, Tansley targets more success
For Kerry U20 captain Michael Tansley, this was a sweet Munster success. The Kingdom ran out 2-15 to 1-10 winners over Cork to complete four in a row for the first time since their manager Tomás Ó Sé was playing the grade in the late nineties. His goalkeeper has now matched that personal achievement of three consecutive Munster medals since graduating from minor. Next up is the matter of equalling Ó Sé's All-Ireland title from 1998. Indeed, the Tim Clarke Cup has only travelled back to Kerry once since then, in 2008. 'It's your first one, good. If it's your second one, even better. And if it's your third one, how bad?' said Tansley after lifting the provincial silverware. 'But look, we will go up to whoever it is, Donegal or Tyrone are going to be a tough opposition, so we're going to have to do our homework on them, and we'll take it from there.' Tansley has plenty of experience with big occasions. He was on the first Mercy Mounthawk team to win the Corn Uí Mhuirí and contested the subsequent Hogan Cup final at Croke Park. And he was minding the net for Austin Stacks' run to Kerry and Munster Intermediate titles last winter. He performed his captain's duties with aplomb, sending the lid of the Noel Walsh Cup flying over his head in the trophy lift before delivering his speech entirely as Gaeilge. 'It's a great feeling, a great honour. We've lots of leaders so it's not too much of a pressure on me but I'm happy to try and lead the group forward,' said Tansley. One of those leaders has been absent in high-scoring attacker Cormac Dillon, due to a hamstring injury. 'We're not sure where he's standing but we'd love to have him back,' Tansley added. 'He's a serious footballer so hopefully we can have him for the next game. 'Even if he can only give us 10 or 15 minutes, it would be brilliant. But we'll see where he lies now in a couple of weeks.' From Tansley's point of view, Kerry showed up strong on kick-outs and in containing Cork's returning star forwards, until a late rally trimmed the final margin from 15 to eight. 'We knew the likes of Sheedy, Myers, and Hayes are serious players so we knew we had to pin in on them, especially, and that we couldn't let go of anyone else. 'They gave us a good doing in midfield the last time we played them so it was good to get on a lot of breaks, win a lot of kick-outs, and credit to all the half-forward line and half-back line for getting in around the big boys in the middle.'
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry thump Cork to win fourth consecutive Munster U20 title
Munster U20 Championship final: Kerry 2-15 (2-0-15) Cork 1-10 (1-3-4) The gap. This result didn't confirm the gap. This result was the latest reinforcing of the gap. The gap is threatening to become a gulf. There are many who'd argue it already has. An eight-point hammering. A four-in-a-row of Munster U20 titles for Kerry. A 10th consecutive Kerry victory over Cork at all grades. The breakdown is as follows: three at senior, four at U20, and another three at minor. May 11, 2023, was the evening the Cork minors scored a no-jeopardy Munster championship win over Kerry. It remains the last occasion a Cork football team bested one in green and gold. At underage, Cork are now closer to the chasing pack behind them than they are to the green and gold spec way, way out in front of them. That is no knee-jerk statement. Cork were fortunate to be part of this Munster final line-up, Tipp were even more unfortunate that they were not. The wholly lopsided schools scene serves only to support all the evidence presented above. No Cork winner of the Corn Uí Mhuirí since 2011. The 13 editions since then have seen the silverware reside in the Kingdom. One Cork school reached the last four of the most recent edition. There, they were walloped 20 points. One Cork school is all that made last year's semi-finals too. There, they were walloped 11 points. That Cork have been right there with the neighbours at senior level for the past three years - one score separating the counties each time - should in no way mask the very worrying slide underneath. Cork's development structures require significant scrutiny and reappraisal. Three years ago at minor level, seven of the Cork players that featured here were part of a side that scored a comprehensive 3-11 to 0-9 Munster final win over the neighbours. Three years further on at U20, Kerry won their two championship meetings with the neighbours by a combined total of 18 points. In both games, Cork trailed by 15 and 14 points respectively before a flurry of late scores took the ugliness off the final scoreline. The final scoreline here can't mask everything. Cork midfielder Darragh Clifford kicked their opening point from play two minutes in. There were 55 minutes on the clock when Cork managed a second score from play through Dara Sheedy. Cork managed only three scores in the opening half. Sheedy's aforementioned 55th minute point was only their second of the turnaround. Kerry ran through them and yet Kerry were so wasteful. Expect three-in-a-row Munster winning boss Tomás O Sé to focus on the latter rather than the former. Their first goal was gifted to them on 28 minutes. Dara Sheedy fumbled, Killian Dennehy finished. Paddy Lane pointed in the ensuing play. From 0-7 to 0-3 ahead to 1-8 to 0-3 out the gap by half-time. Tomás Kennedy, after Lane was blocked, fisted in a second three minutes upon the restart. The returning and outstanding Ben Murphy, Kennedy, and Daniel Kirby all could have added to that green flag tally. The visitors finished with 11 wides. They annihilated the Cork kick-out for large swathes, their kick-passing and movement through the centre was superb, and yet the final product, be it nonchalance or overconfidence, too often let them down. A Colm Clifford goal and two-pointers from Aaron O'Sullivan, his second, and sub Darragh Gough rewrote the final difference. Cork, though, remain a long way off rewriting the current chasm between the counties. Cork, at underage, are no longer a barometer for Kerry to where they're at. Kerry will see where they're at when they meet the Ulster champions in the All-Ireland semi-final in mid-May. Tyrone bested them in last year's All-Ireland final. Maghera and Omagh bested Mercy Mounthawk in the Hogan Cup this year and last. Ulster opposition raises them and challenges them in a way the red shirt no longer does. Scorers for Kerry: T Kennedy (1-3, 0-1 mark); P Lane (0-4, 0-2 frees); K Dennehy (1-0); C Collins (0-2); A Ó Beaglaoich, B Murphy, E Boyle, R Carroll, D O'Sullivan, J Tagney (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: A O'Sullivan (0-5, 2tp frees, 0-1 '45); C Clifford (1-0); D Gough (0-2, tp free); D Clifford, B Hayes (0-1 free), D Sheedy (0-1 each). KERRY: M Tansley (Austin Stacks); G Evans (Keel), D O'Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), M Lynch (Dr Crokes); B Murphy (Austin Stacks), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), L Evans (Keel); E Healy (Listowel Emmets), D Kirby (Austin Stacks); C Collins (Rathmore), E Boyle (Ballyduff), K Dennehy (Cordal); P Lane (Austin Stacks), T Kennedy (Kerins O'Rahillys), R Carroll (Austin Stacks). SUBS: D O'Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for Dennehy (40); J Tagney (Kenmare Shamrocks) for Collins (44); J Murphy (Austin Stacks) for Kirby, O Ferris (Ardfert) for Carroll (both 48); D Stack (Kilcummin) for Evans (50). CORK: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); N O'Shea (Urhan), C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), G Daly (Mallow); C Clifford (Éire Óg), T Kiely (Mallow), A O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue); D Clifford (Éire Óg), C Gillespie (Aghabullogue); D Miskella (Ballincollig), D Sheedy (Bantry Blues), S O'Leary (Kilmurry); E Myers (Naomh Abán), B Hayes (Nemo Rangers), D O'Neill (Carbery Rangers). SUBS: D Harrington (Clonakilty) for Myers (HT); B O'Connell (Ballincollig) for Woods (37); M Maguire (Castlehaven) for O'Neill (44); D Gough (Clonakilty) for Hayes (46); G Kearney (Kinsale) for Miskella (54). REFEREE: E Morrissey (Waterford).
