The Echo Sport Podcast

The Echo Sport Podcast crew is back to discuss another bumper weekend of Cork GAA action.Now in its fourth season, the podcast sees the Echo team discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. In the wake of the Cork hurlers reaching the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals for the third straight year and the minor football team producing another fine display to get to an All-Ireland final, Denis Hurley is joined by Barry O’Mahony and Rory Noonan.As Rory and Barry pointed out, Cork were caught between a rock and a hard place in terms of their All-Ireland quarter-final against Offaly – a big win would not necessarily give much insight whereas a tight battle would have raised plenty of questions.In the event, Cork got the job done in a professional fashion, scoring six goals as they won by 26 points, and a semi-final with Galway looms as Ben O’Connor’s side aim to reach a third straight All-Ireland final – something Cork last did during the manager’s own playing days, 2004-06.Four changes to the starting team meant a chance for players to stake their claims and Rory and Barry assess how they fared while also discussing the use of the Cork bench.Cork’s win, and that of Clare against Limerick, mean that the All-Ireland semi-finals will once again feature three Munster teams – while the state of hurling is part of a wider discussion, the dominance of southern sides is something worthy of consideration.For now though, the Cork journey continues while the last-four tie against the Leinster champions on Saturday, July 4 is again set to be close to a sell-out: at a time when it is so expensive to bring a family to a match, the dedication of the Cork support again comes in for praise from the panel.The Rebel supporters will be on the road again this weekend, with Mayo the opponents for the Cork football team in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.Barry O’Mahony believes that it is as good a draw as Cork could have hoped for, with the westerners not the force they were when they were regularly reaching All-Ireland finals.Both he and Rory expect a tough battle but with Cork given a great chance to reach the semi-finals for what would be the first time since 2012.The big-ball code is on a roll on Leeside, with Keith Ricken’s side through to the All-Ireland final following a great win over Derry. Barry O’Mahony feels that the strength of the collective unit has come to the fore, with Rory Noonan singling out Ricken’s man-management skills and ability to develop young players.You can listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The only way is up for the Cork footballers... The Echo Podcast looks at the Rebels' terrific start to the league after a third successive league victory leaves them in a strong position to gain promotion back to Division 1, bridging an 11-year gap.John Cleary's side were heavy favourites in Tullamore but haven't always handled that tag well, which allied to their inconsistency in recent years, meant the trip to Offaly was loaded with danger.A brilliant first half was crucial to the result, with Cork leading by nine points at the break, thanks in no small part to a Colm O'Callaghan brace of goals from midfield.A third green flag raised by Mark Cronin in the third quarter effectively sealed it but the hosts, despite being against the wind in the second half, battled until the end and had the gap down to five points at the finish.Ultimately, the result was all that mattered and it was never in doubt.Cork are at home to Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn next where a victory would be huge given the Royals are also unbeaten with three wins on the board.With genuine momentum, having won the McGrath Cup on Kerry turf in January, it's time for the supporters to get out in force for the Meath clash. The footballers deserve and need their backing.There's also a look back at the Sigerson Cup final where missed goal chances cost UCC though a handful of Leesiders in UL colours did collect the cup at Croke Park.On the hurling front, with the hurlers off until March 1, the podcast crew discuss the trends from the first three games, who from the extended squad deserves a go in the remaining matches and whether Ben O'Connor will continue to go all-in at every interview.His fiery approach is delighting the national media while also taking the heat off the Cork players who are still trying to escape the shadow of last year's All-Ireland final nightmare.Plus, after an excellent showing for UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup final where he was in contention for Man of the Match, is Jack Leahy hard done by not to be in the Cork hurling squad?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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two from two again as the hurlers survived a snarling battle with Galway in Salthill while the footballers beat the Leinster champions Louth on the road.The Echo Sport Podcast crew reflect on a brilliant weekend for the Rebels, particularly the footballers who made it back to back wins in their opening two Division 2 games for the first time. They'd lost twice in recent years in the league in Louth, along with an All-Ireland qualifier exit, so this was a significant result which puts John Cleary's side in a strong position for promotion.Having Steven Sherlock up front along with Brian Hurley, Mark Cronin and goal-scorer Chris Óg Jones gives Cork a balanced scoring threat up front and storming into an eight-point lead at half-time put the visitors in control.They've now got a weekend off before visiting Offaly and they're at home to Meath at the end of the month. If they can build on this momentum they'll be well set before trips to Derry and Tyrone in March.Most importantly they'll get the Cork public back behind them if they can put a winning streak together and we saw how crucial the crowd was to their late rally in the opening round victory over Cavan in the Páirc.The hurlers up against a fired-up Galway who made all the early running on Saturday night. Down seven points and way well the mark in terms of intensity, Cork showed a lot of experience and character to turn it around at Pearse Stadium.They hurled on the edge at times but were far more clinical than the Tribe and were able to get through for goal chances in the second half with Brian Hayes finishing two of them. The introduction of Hayes and Tim O'Mahony added heft but also showed how seriously Ben O'Connor and his management team are taking the league.They'll certainly be fully tuned in on Saturday night in front of 25,000 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for an All-Ireland final rematch against Tipp, who have also won their first two league matches. It'll be the Rebels' third game in 13 days and while the mid-April Munster championship meeting is the priority, Cork won't want to give any quarter here.With a gap of three weeks until an away game with Kilkenny, victory this weekend would put defending champions Cork in a strong position to return to the league final.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Podcast crew return just in time for the throw-in of the national hurling and football leagues.Cork footballers take on Cavan before the hurlers host Waterford in an attractive double-header in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where both teams need a winning start to the campaign.John Cleary's charges got a boost with a first competitive victory in Killarney since 1995 over Kerry, albeit in the McGrath Cup final, which won't be causing the old enemy to lose any sleep.Still, late points from Brian Hurley and Chris Óg Jones gave the Rebels the narrowest of victories in a game where the contentious new rules that lead to frees being advanced 50 metres worked in their favour.Cork have been in the lower leagues since 2016 and haven't really looked like returning, largely down to slow starts to the season. With four away games, they'll need to pick up points on home turf.Clearly and his management team are vastly experienced at this stage but the vibes are more positive at this stage than they were last year, with a decent blend of youth and experience.The hurlers won't be prioritising the secondary competition after ending a 27-year wait for silverware last term but Ben O'Connor will be eager to get wins on the board early to allow them to look at their options in the coming weeks. The new bainisteoir has already stated there won't be radical change but tactically there will be tweaks from the long-ball style of last year.It's a hectic time of year, with UCC and MTU Cork, who have impressed to date, busy with the Fitzgibbon Cup.There's a look at the form of both Cork teams in preseason, as well as a breakdown of the recent Fitzgibbon and Sigerson action and the Corn Uí Mhuirí and Harty matches.There's a discussion of the appointment of Ian Maguire and Darragh Fitzgibbon as Cork captains, replacing Brian Hurley and Rob Downey. Plus they flag up the young players to watch in the coming weeks and examine the prospects of the rookies who are on the hurling and football squads.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Podcast crew discuss the main issues impacting Cork GAA fans after a packed weekend of action for December, which included three Munster finals, two schools finals in the Páirc and a pair of U21 hurling semis.The major talking point was St Finbarr's loss to Dingle at Semple Stadium where a very harsh call by the ref saw a decision on a free go against Ian Maguire and then the ball advanced by 50 metres because Dylan Quinn picked it up as the whistle sounded.The result was a monster two-point free as time elapsed to see the Barrs beaten the minimum.While Brian Roche's side know they should have been more clinical in the last quarter, as they only scored one point after the 40th minute, they were still aggrieved with how the game was decided. It won't be any consolation for them but it was one of the most enthralling Munster club football finals of all time, lit up by an incredible 16-point haul from Steven Sherlock.In the other provincial finals, Buttevant and Aghabullogue were well beaten by their Kerry opponents, confirming the Kingdom's utter dominance of the intermediate and junior grades.Clonakilty Community School produced an excellent display on Friday night to defeat Coláiste Choilm and capture their first Simcox Cup while Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG retained the Dr O'Callaghan Cup after a belter with Christians. A brilliant decision by the Cork County Board to stage the games on the big stage in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.Midleton and Shandrum will contest the U21 A hurling final after their victories on the 4G and while the Magpies will be favourites.For hurling fans, the spotlight this week was on the new senior management after coach Niall O'Halloran departed Ben O'Connor's set-up in preseason. Cork are training extremely hard since their return but it was very unusual to see a chance in the backroom at this stage.There's also a preview of the All-Ireland camogie club finals coming up at Croke Park, with St Finbarr's and Ballincollig in their first national finals on Jones Road.Now in its third 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.