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Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cork fans slam 'horrible comments' aimed at players after All-Ireland final loss
The fallout to Cork's All-Ireland final defeat is continuing on Leeside, with fans hitting out at comments aimed at players by other supporters. The Rebels came into Sunday's final as red-hot favourites, but blew a six-point half-time lead as Tipperary blitzed them in the second half at Croke Park. A homecoming scheduled for Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Monday evening was cancelled 'at the request of the team and management', according to a Cork GAA statement. It read: "At the request of the team and management, there is no event planned for the return of the Cork hurlers this evening. They would again like to thank all the entire county for their unwavering support throughout the year." Some people were disappointed with the decision, saying that it was harsh on young fans looking forward to welcoming home their heroes. One person wrote: "That's bad form , I'm sure their families and supporters would like to welcome home." Another commented: "I don't think this is setting a good example for younger kids. It's showing them more or less that losing isn't to be celebrated really, that it's a bad thing. "We had a lot of good games too. I'm sure they would of got a massive turnout for a homecoming and would of been lovely for the supporters who pay for tickets to go and see them game after game." But a number of fans hit out at 'horrible comments' made by other Cork supporters following Sunday's game. "I've seen some horrible comments going around from the so called fans of Cork hurling," said one person. "I'm very proud of the Cork team. They gave us some fantastic days all through league and championship. "If the players don't want a fuss and want to just come home quietly then that's what should happen. It shouldn't matter if you or your child what to see the team. Show a bit of respect. People can be so selfish." Another commented: "The nasty comments are uncalled for. They deserve to get the homecoming. They may not have won but they've won most of all our hearts. Gave us lots of highs through the whole season. Well done lads, hold yer heads high." Someone else wrote: "There should be a homecoming for the team and management, they are human beings after all. The dedication they put in over the year. "The people that put up bad comments are usually people that never played hurling. The real supporters and young children would be there for them. Heads up and focus on next year." One other comment read: "They are getting so much hate comments, it's ridiculous. I think people forget they are human too and have a family and life and look it just wasn't to be for us. "We need to all rethink everything and get out there and try again. It's better to try in life and lose then to not at all!"
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brolly slams Cusack over 'most grotesque thing' after All-Ireland final loss
Joe Brolly has taken aim at Dónal Óg Cusack over the Cork players' strikes, saying they were "the most grotesque thing I've ever seen in my life as a GAA person". The former Derry player was reacting to the Rebels' shock All-Ireland final loss to Tipperary over the weekend when he brought up the strikes during the early 2000s. The first of the strikes in 2002 was over player welfare and rights, with manager Bertie Óg Murphy stepping down as a result, while in 2009, Gerald McCarthy stepped down as manager. Brolly, now based in Mayo, claimed there is a big difference between the Westerners' shortcomings in All-Ireland finals and what happened to Cork on Sunday. He said on his Free State Podcast: "This is different. This is carnage. This is a f***ing wasteland of dreams. The first thing the Cork players will be saying this morning, I think, will be... it will take them a while to come out of the numbness and genuine f***ing horror of this... will be what the f*** were our management doing? "So now you've got this dynamic of 'can we trust this management, is this management at the level that is required for us' and that of course is the road to disaster as well." Brolly went on to say that the Rebels 'have never recovered' from the strikes many years ago as he took aim at Cusack. "They were a team that were renowned as the Rebels throughout Ireland, they had given us some of the greatest hurlers that had ever played the game, they had great football teams and then all of a sudden they became like a trade union," he added. "Dónal Óg, the senior sort of trade union chair, shuttling in and out of meetings with the GAA." Dónal Óg Cusack (Image: ©INPHO/Oisin Keniry) He continued: "You'll recall the strike, which was just the most grotesque thing I've ever seen in my life as a GAA person, as a GAA volunteer. "So they reaped the devastation of that and the great Seán Óg (Ó hAilpín) has since spoken about his disappointment in himself that he went along with it. "So they got over that, they got through that very, very recently and now they've got this team playing like a Cork team and they've got everything going for them. "They've no individual weaknesses, brilliant free taker, I mean even their free taker ultimately melted down. Missed an easy free at the start of the second half that would have put them seven up. Where do they go from here?" Cusack previously told how he had no regrets over the strike in 2009, telling the Irish Examiner: "Gerald was doing his best - he wanted to do his best. 'He was a great Cork player, but we felt there was better management propositions out there. 'When it was becoming pretty apparent what was ahead of us, myself and John (Gardiner) said we need to go and talk to Gerald face-to-face and tell him what was going on. So, we told him the story, told him that the players didn't have confidence in him. 'Gerald made it clear to us that night that he wasn't going anywhere. 'We went back to our players and said, 'This is the choice that we have. What do you want to do?' 'I think it was unanimous that the players would go on strike. 'I regret anybody got hurt in it. I regret Gerald had to be in the position he had to be in, because the fight was between the players and the board, yet the board knew exactly what they were doing. 'But in terms of regretting what we did? The only regret I have is that we didn't give them half enough of it, that when we had our foot on their chests that we should have went all the ways." However, Ó hAilpín admitted in 2020 that he did have regrets over the strikes. "When I start looking in reflection, that is one thing I do regret, the casualties and the fact that people had to step down," he told The Sunday Game. "After that, the players got the demands that they were looking for. I don't think that strike would have been so highlighted if we didn't win; if we didn't back that up with the '04 and '05 wins, we would have been the laughing stock of the nation. At least those actions were justified. "It was bad enough going through one, then there was another one in 2007, which involved the hurlers and footballers. Life would have been much easier if we'd stopped at that. "Then, there was the worst one which was in '09. Probably, that's the one where there's still aftermath to this day. The biggest casualty out of that was Gerald McCarthy - probably one of, if not the greatest Cork great, having to step down." He added: "There's not a day goes by when I don't think back to then and what could have been done differently. "There's certain actions that in hindsight... I can't speak for other players at that time but I know that I would have said some stuff that in proper reflection that I was best to just keep my mouth shut. "My view is that you had one party, the playing group, who were looking to go one way, and you soon realise that the biggest power broker in that situation is the county board. They didn't want to go that way with us. They had their own ways about how the association should be run. "We were just going two poles apart completely. When you have two camps entrenched in their own beliefs, it was only going to lead to ringside tickets in Las Vegas. The aftermath was filthy, callous and cold."
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘An easy fix' – tattoo artist offers to change digit in Cork fan's premature ink
Studio owner Darragh Murphy said the tattoo was 'only a bit of craic' and offered to change the '25 to '26 A hurling fan who got an 'All-Ireland Champions 2025' tattoo days before Cork were humbled by Tipperary at Croke Park has been offered the chance to change a digit as a vote of future confidence in his beloved Rebels. Michael John Murphy (37) from Mayfield got the tattoo when Passage West studio Skint Tattoo offered a promotion with specific Cork-based inkings being offered for free earlier this month.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Mixed emotions as ‘shellshocked' Cork fans reflect on Tipp defeat
The Rebels were six points up at half-time, but in an extraordinary second-half, Liam Cahill's Premier outscored the Leesiders by 3-14 to 0-2, as the throng gathered on the hallowed turf 'down the Park could only watch on in sheer disbelief. While most of those in red stayed right until the final whistle, to support a team that has already brought Allianz National League and Munster titles to the banks of the Lee, they weren't hanging around, leaving Cork GAA HQ following the game. '(In the) Second-half, Cork thought they had it won,' one disappointed fan said, exiting the ground. 'It was well over before the red card, but it was deserved as a second yellow.' Another young fan was left angry following the defeat, which now extends the Rebels' wait for a Liam McCarthy Cup to 21 years. 'It's a joke,' he said, 'I can't understand it, that's the worst match I've watched in a very long time. 'We scored just two points in the second half, it was a joke,' added a friend from the large group that had come to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, to watch the match with thousands of others on the big screen. 'The red was warranted; it was just stupid. It got to a point and Cork lost their heads; it happens all the time. It was the same against Clare in the first round of the Munster (championship), up by 12 at half-time, and drew that. 'This was the year. If they were going to win it any year it was this year. This was a huge game, with a lot on the line, and they couldn't do it.' However, seasoned Cork supporter Larry was more philosophical about the match. 'I think everyone's shellshocked now, I think they can't believe it,' he said, leaving the gates of the stadium. 'People probably didn't even think of leaving it early! ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'Whatever was said to Tipperary in the dressing room definitely worked!' said Larry, who complimented Cork City Council and Cork GAA on the running of the occasion, with children emulating their heroes on the back of the pitch while those closer were huddled around, giving a huge cheer when Shane Barrett's goal went in before half-time. 'It was a lovely setup in fairness. There was a great atmosphere here before it all turned. It will be a long journey home from Dublin now, won't it? 'We'll go again!' School-going Sophie, accompanied by her sisters and mother said that she enjoyed the day, despite the result. 'I think it was a very good game, even though Cork lost. I really enjoyed watching it with everyone. I'd definitely come back again when they get to the next final!' Another supporter, accompanied by his adult daughter, said the team have done the county proud, despite yesterday's disappointment. 'Everyone was a bit surprised, especially in the second half. Cork had a bit of momentum and then Tipp came out, and they just wanted it more. 'Some people were critical of the referee, but I just think Tipp wanted it more, they had the momentum, they got the goals, and it's difficult to stop them then, especially when you're a man down. 'People are totally shellshocked, but it was a great event, nonetheless. It was really family friendly, no alcohol is a great thing, and it's nice to see the kids running about and having fun, despite the result. 'They'll definitely have the support again; we'll go again next year!'
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork players and staff decide against homecoming event after All-Ireland heartbreak
Cork supporters will not get the chance to welcome home the beaten All-Ireland finalists on Monday, county board officials have confirmed. The Rebels were well beaten by Munster rivals Tipperary at Croke Park on Sunday, after a second-half collapse. Supporters would traditionally still get the chance to applaud their side's efforts at a homecoming but no such event is planned on this occasion. "At the request of the team and management," a statement from Cork GAA reads, "there is no event planned for the return of the Cork hurlers this evening. "They would again like to thank all the entire county for their unwavering support throughout the year." Tipperary fans, meanwhile, will welcome the champions home to Thurles this afternoon, with celebrations at Semple Stadium slated to get under way at around 4.30pm. The Premier County players are expected to arrive with the Liam MacCarthy cup at around 7.30pm with entertainment from the 2 Johnnies, Una Healy and others. Read More Anthony Daly's verdict: As Tipp cut loose, Cork went searching for safety
