About this episode

The episode discusses the disappointing performance of Cork hurling in the inter-county season and explores potential changes for the future.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew reflect on how the inter-county season panned out across both codes before we launch into a bumper three-and-a-half months of the best club action in the country. With just one All-Ireland final reached, even if it did see the minor footballers rally from nine points down to wrestle the Tommy Markham Cup from Tyrone in a stone-cold classic, the 2026 campaign has to be classed as a disappointment. Keith Ricken's U17 side were also the only Cork team to lift a Munster title, with the minor and U20 hurlers losing provincial semi-finals and the two senior teams falling to their great rivals Limerick and Kerry. It's no coincidence that those two counties are now in the All-Ireland final and firm favourites to return with the biggest prizes of them all. The most galling disappointment was the hurlers' heavy defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. Here on the podcast, we were extremely wary of the Tribe threat, given their excellence in the Munster final and how fortunate Cork had been to beat them in the league, but certainly it was a massive upset and particularly cruel on the Rebel faithful who had to witness another second-half fadeout. On this…

People in this episode

Host: The Echo Sport Podcast crew

Topics covered

• Cork hurling
• inter-county season
• club action
• tactical approach
• young players
• All-Ireland semi-final

Keywords

• Cork hurling
• All-Ireland final
• Galway
• Keith Ricken
• young players
• tactical approach

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cork, Galway, Tyrone, Limerick, Kerry

More episodes of The Echo Sport Podcast

• Cork hurlers can only envy Limerick plus a bumper club championship preview. · July 20, 2026 · 36 min
• Hurlers collapse offset by minor marvels and Cork fans don't deserve any flak. · July 6, 2026 · 37 min
• Footballers wasted golden chance, hurlers must be wary of Galway, minors ready for Tyrone decider · June 29, 2026 · 36 min
• Job done for hurlers but bigger tests ahead · June 22, 2026 · 30 min
• Biggest win since 2010 - challenge now for footballers is to kick on again · June 15, 2026 · 32 min

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