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The Echo Sport Podcast crew breaks down the Premier Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling finals on this week's show, as well as previewing a busy Bank Holiday weekend as the Cork GAA season hits its thrilling conclusion. The big prizes on Sunday afternoon went to Glen Rovers and Ballincollig. Neither game fully caught fire but the Glen won't care after edging the first county final against the Barrs in 38 years thanks to a pair of Eoin O'Leary goals and a steady showing overall. O'Leary's haul of 2-2 took him to 5-13 for the season and surely on the radar of the Cork selectors. The Glen were just that bit better balanced than the Barrs, who did have a late shout for a penalty to force a draw, and it was a sweet victory after being relegated in 2023. It also atoned for county final losses in 2018, '19 and '20. Barrs were 0-12 to 0-10 up at the break having finished the first half well but O'Leary's opening goal turned the tide. Patrick Horgan finished with 0-3 from play but so too did midfielder Rhys Dunne. Ethan Twomey clipped a staggering 0-5 from play in the second half for the Barrs but it wasn't enough. Ballincollig were a point down at half-time against Dungourney after a slow start but took control in the second half to make up for losing the PIHC final 12 months ago to Ballinhassig. Adam Wills rifled the goal, his brother Stephen Willis picked up Man of the Match for his clinical shooting from play while Theo Morgan and Cian O'Driscoll nailed 0-3 apiece. In defence, James Dwyer, Ross O'Donovan, Barry Coleman and Fenton Denny were also immense. It's a blend of hurling and football next weekend, with the Premier Junior Hurling final on Friday night pairing St Catherine's and Kilshannig. On Sunday afternoon, there's a football double-header, Cobh versus Canovee at Premier Junior, followed by champions St Finbarr's against great rivals Nemo Rangers in a repeat of last year's Premier Senior decider. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew reflect on the career of a genuine Leeside legend, Seamus Harnedy, and look at the few faces set to feature for the Cork hurlers in 2027 on this week's episode. Harnedy called time on a superb inter-county hurling career after 14 seasons at elite level where he collected four Munster titles, including one as captain, was selected for three All-Stars and featured in five All-Ireland finals. Cruelly, the 2014 drawn encounter with Clare was the closest the St Ita's club man came to ultimate glory, though he had a knack of delivering in all those big games. Declan Dalton is also leaving Ben O'Connor's squad, though just turning 29, he felt he had more to offer. Could he still return to the fold if he delivered for Fr O'Neill's next year? On the club front, there's analysis from a fascinating weekend of semi-finals where Clonakilty and Carrigaline were left with huge regrets after missing chances to pull off an upset to leave us with another showdown between Nemo Rangers and St Finbarr's. Mark Cronin and Briain Murphy got the crucial scores for Nemo while, as well as a few trademark Steven Sherlock boomers, Brian Hayes came up with the crucial points. There was no shortage of terrific individual displays, with Chris Óg Jones bagging 1-5 from play for Uibh Laoire in beating rivals Naomh Abán while Johnny Galvin was the super sub for Éire Óg as his 1-3 helped the Ovens outfit overcome an eight-point deficit and beat Cill na Martra in extra time. There's also a preview of this Sunday's attractive double-header in the Páirc where Ballincollig versus Dungourney is followed by an old-school Glen Rovers and St Finbarr's battle. TUNE IN Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a detailed analysis of a bumper slate of Cork GAA hurling semi-finals on this week's Echo Sport Podcast. The 10 finalists are now set, with the five deciders spread across the last two weekends in October, including a first Glen Rovers versus St Finbarr’s top-level county final in Cork for 38 years. The main event was the Glen’s 2-21 to 1-18 victory over top seeds Midleton. Micheál Mullins, primarily utilised as a midfielder or wing-back by Cork teams, pilfered two goals from his half-forward berth. The Glen could even afford to miss a late penalty, which Patrick Horgan rifled wide, with the Downey brothers powerful in defence. Rob was particularly influential at full-back, keeping a tight leash on Conor Lehane before the Midleton talisman was moved further out. Food for thought for Ben O'Connor and the Cork management. Having started the season with a very sluggish display against Midleton, St Finbarr’s are peaking at the right time after a gritty victory over newcomers Kanturk. Paudie Murray’s side were four points down after Alan Walsh hit the net early in the second half in the Páirc, having trailed by five after 20 minutes, but rallied after a terrific Ethan Twomey goal. Cork U20 Conor Noonan put the Duhallow outfit 1-22 to 1-20 up in the 55th minute but the Barrs hit the last seven points. Key for the Togher side was Hayes’ haul of 0-5 from play, a tally matched by Cunningham. Keeper Shane Hurley made some key saves. In the Senior A grade, Carrigtwohill pulled off a shock by taking out favourites Blarney. Denis Walsh's side are without their leading marksman Sean Walsh through injury but his younger brother Patrick hit 0-6 from play, including the score to clinch it. The East Cork outfit, beaten in the last four 12 months ago, were pumped from the off and deservedly set up a clash with Erin's Own. The Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-finals both ended explosively. Ballincollig hit 1-10 in the last quarter to overturn an eight-point deficit against Carrigaline while corner-back D Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The national spotlight was on Ireland's controversial clash with Israel but here on Leeside, the Cork GAA scene was in full swing. There was a packed programme of football games, with Nemo Rangers reminding us all of their pedigree by knocking out Castlehaven in front of a huge crowd in Clonakilty. The return of young gun Bryan Hayes was a major boost while Ross Corkery also shot the lights out. They now take on Carrigaline, the top seeds, as men on a mission after their series of heartbreaking county final losses. St Finbarr's only managed a single victory in the group stages but blitzed Carbery to the tune of four goals, their Brian Hayes now fully fit along with Ian Maguire to give them a platform on primary possession. They head into a fascinating semi-final with Clon, who showed their guts by coping with a half-time red card in their win over Newcestown. The future of divisions will be up for discussion again though as both Imokilly and Carbery failed to make their quarter-finals competitive. Is it time to restrict the Premier Senior Championships to clubs? Naomh Abán were arguably the team of the weekend, after putting six goals past Macroom to reach their third consecutive PIFC semi-final. Buttevant and Mitchelstown was the expected cracker at Intermediate A, with the team in black and amber progressing, while Castletownbere pulled off an upset in relegating Glanmire and Clyda Rovers and Ballincollig saved their best for last to condemn Skibb and St Michael's to the drop. This weekend attention turns to hurling again, with some terrific semi-finals, including the club of the season so far Kanturk, who beat Kilshanning in Sunday's Senior A quarter-final, clashing with the Barrs. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Podcast crew review the quarter-final and relegation playoff weekend in the Cork GAA club hurling championships. Once again, Kanturk were the talk of Leeside as they followed up their resounding victory over Blackrock by knocking out modern powerhouse Sars. The champions hadn't hit full tilt, having lost to Charleville in the group stages, but were still favourites but the Duhallow side's haul of four goals proved decisive. Brian O'Sullivan's reputation continues to grow given his clinical shooting while Kanturk had two different goalscorers, including Cork newcomer Alan Walsh. Charleville couldn't match their exploits against Glen Rovers, but the quad injury that meant Darragh Fitzgibbon wasn't fit to start was a major setback. Patrick Horgan and Simon Kennefick raised green flags and the Glen now take on top seeds Midleton, with Kanturk v St Finbarr's in the other semi. The Barrs are building momentum slowly though Imokilly, without Duds Healy and Jack Leahy, didn't have the tools to upset the odds in that quarter-final. There were some superb games around the county, with extra time needed in Watergrasshill's victory over Ballinhassig at Senior A while it took penalties to separate Carrigtwohill from Na Piarsaigh. Dungourney's victory over Aghabullogue was an extra-time epic too, but the other PIHC quarter-final saw the performance of the weekend, as Carrigaline absolutely demolished Cloyne. Carrigaline were heading out late on in their second group game but they're absolutely lifting now. As well as the hurling analysis, there's also a look ahead at the big football games on the horizon. TUNE IN   Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Podcast crew break down the final weekend of Cork GAA club football action where Carrigaline, Castlehaven and Clon showed why they're the teams to beat at Premier Senior. Nemo Rangers had to dig deep to offset their injury list and avoid being knocked out by Valley Rovers while St Finbarr's were beaten by Mallow but dragged themselves to a quarter-final on scoring difference. Valleys were eliminated despite winning two group games and the Barrs, who will be hoping to get Ian Maguire and Brian Hayes back fit and firing, move on with one win. Such are the vagaries of the round-robin format. The major talking point was at Premier Intermediate, where a disputed score in the Fermoy-Ballinora draw will be examined by the Cork County Board. The suggestion is that a Ben Twomey shot from outside the arc before half-time wasn't recorded as a two-pointer. Had that been factored in, Fermoy would have won and made the quarter-finals at Ballinora's expense.  Right now Ballinora are due to face Macroom but the Fermoy match could yet be replayed. There were some terrific performances across the grades, including Éire Óg's victory over Kilshannig to grab a SAFC semi spot while Uibh Laoire continue to rip it up at Premier Intermediate with dark horses Kiskeam also in the last four. At Premier Junior, Rob Downey hit the net as St Nicks made it out of the group stages. Adrigole are back in the Intermediate A semi-finals on a mission, having lost at that stage for the past three seasons. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a weekend of club hurling! There's a cohort out there who feel the inter-county season is too short when the box-office action ends in July, but Cork GAA's brilliant programme of matches across five grades never fails to deliver. Kanturk were the story of the last phase of group games, blasting past Blackrock to eliminate the city side and grab top spot ahead of Glen Rovers. It was a magnificent team performance, from Darren Browne tagging Alan Connolly in defence to the power and ball-winning of Colin and Alan Walsh up top. Brian O'Sullivan, on the fringes of the Cork panel all year, was lethal from placed balls but also heavily involved from play. Midleton got held off Bride Rovers to grab top seeding and a semi-final berth but Sars remain the team to beat, their quarter-final with Kanturk will be epic. Injuries continue to cast a shadow though, with Darragh Fitzgibbon missing Charleville's loss to Newtown and unlikely to feature in the quarter-final with Glen Rovers. Brian Hayes and Jack Cahalane were notable absentees for the Barrs and they'll be under pressure against Imokilly without them. Another standout team display came from Na Piarsaigh, who outgunned Killeagh and are now one of the form teams in Senior A. Carrigaline shot the lights out against Kilworth to snatch a place in the Premier Intermediate knockout phase. Their late blast of 1-1 in round two to draw with Ballymartle, who are now out despite beating Valleys, saved their season. Bishopstown head into their third consecutive relegation final, against Lisgoold, after a poor display against Éire Óg. Can they stop the slide? Aghada eliminated Kilbrittain at Intermediate A while Cloughduv clawed their way into the Premier Junior quarter-final with a monster win over Milford, who ended up in relegation trouble after Mayfield pulled off an upset against Barryroe. Scoring difference was the common thread there. The Echo podcast crew look at what hurlers put their hands up for inclusion in Ben O'Connor's panel after the three group games. In his most recent column, Patrick Horgan suggested continuity is what Cork are lacking, on and off the field. Is he right? There's also a preview of the football action this weekend. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The big news on the Cork GAA front was the impending appointment of Cian O'Neill as the new hurling coach, following the departure of Ronan Curran as a selector. The vastly experienced Kildare native seems like a left-field selection, given he just departed the Kerry set-up and also worked with Mayo and Galway, as well as the Cork footballers under Ronan McCarthy. He did build his reputation on the hurling front with Liam Sheedy's Tipperary side that ended Kilkenny's five-in-a-row bid in 2010. More importantly, he had been operating as a trainer before then with Newtownshandrum when they last captured the Cork and Munster titles, which forged his connection with Ben O'Connor. The Echo Podcast crew discuss what we can expect from O'Neill, how he could influence the hurlers' style and whether there will be a new sports psychologist coming in to replace Gerry Hussey. Ben O'Connor no doubt learned an awful lot from a first season at the helm that started positively but ended on a low in Croke Park against Galway. Could Cork look to replicate the Tribe's counter-attacking tactics? The only issue with that is Limerick dismantled them in the All-Ireland. At club level, there's a massive weekend of hurling action coming up, after a break weekend where Éire Óg's footballers blitzed Clyda Rovers in a refixed match and Imokilly eased past Seandún to reach the PSHC quarter-final again. We look at the major matches coming up and whether there will be any upsets before the pairings are set for the knockout matches across the five grades. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a frenetic weekend of Cork club hurling action, the big guns across the major grades, with the exception of last year's Senior A runners-up Castlelyons, remain in the mix for silverware. Glen Rovers came closest to an early exit with a Brian O'Sullivan-inspired Kanturk up by two points coming down the stretch in their blockbuster battle in Castleltownroche. Tomás Mulcahy's side held their nerve though, clipping over four scores without replay to save their season. St Finbarr's and Sars were far more dominant in their must-win matches, William Buckley again showing his accuracy with a haul of 0-7 from play for the Barrs against Bride while Daniel Kearney was restored to the starting 15 as Sars prevailed after an eight-goal thriller with Newtown. Castlelyons were eliminated by rivals Watergrasshill in the SAHC, paying the highest of prices for being beaten by a last-gasp goal in their opener with Blarney, who cruised through against Ballyhea. Carrigtwohill delivered one of the best displays of the weekend in hammering Courceys while Ballinhassig remain unbeaten after promotion following a win over Inniscarra in a group that's now finely poised. Na Piarsaigh welcomed back Ross O'Sullivan from the States and he shot the lights out as they coped with an early 11-point deficit against Fermoy. At Premier Intermediate, Aghabullogue, Valleys, Ballincollig and Cloyne all have two wins on the board so have are the leading contenders at that grade. Dungourney have also shown serious form. TUNE IN Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew on moving weekend in Cork club GAA, the fallout from the second round of football games and what to expect next week on the hurling front. As expected leading contenders Nemo Rangers and St Finbarr's bounced back from their surprise defeats to put themselves in strong positions to qualify for the knockout stages. However, Newcestown, who beat Nemo previously, fell short against neighbours Valley Rovers to leave that group delicately balanced. It's the same in the toughest group at Premier Senior. Knocknagree got their first victory at that level against Ballincollig, who must now try and avoid a relegation playoff, while the Carbery derby between Castlehaven and Clonakilty ended up all square. It means wins for Knockagree and Clon next month would see the Haven eliminated. St Michael's, Mallow and the Collig are under pressure, having lost both their matches. There was an upset at Senior A when a last-gasp Ryan O'Keeffe free saw Newmarket take down Cill na Martra. Carbery Rangers beat O'Donovan Rossa so Newmarket could end up knocked out on scoring difference despite their two wins after their last match. Kilshannig had a statement win when they blitzed Bishopstown but Clyda versus Éire Óg was postponed due to a bereavement. In Premier Intermediate, Macroom are on a roll after a couple of seasons battling relegation while Kilmurry's comeback against Buttevant at Intermediate A leaves them on two wins, same as Mitchelstown and Adrigole. Next weekend's hurling should be terrific, with Glen Rovers, the Barrs and Sars are facing an unexpected early exit unless they can emerge victorious. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew break down a thrilling All-Ireland camogie final, look at the future of divisional teams after the latest championship withdrawal and pick the matches to catch in the second round of football group games. Cork captured the O'Duffy Cup for the 31st time after a gripping game in Croke Park against their fierce rivals Galway. Goals were the key, Saoirse McCarthy and Orlaith Cahalane burying two in the second half, but also the Rebels' second-half attitude when they pushed up the pitch more and tackled with far greater intensity to turn around a two-point deficit. Sorcha McCartan and Laura Hayes were also magnificent but this was a triumph for the collective as the young guns fired on the big stage. Cork lost five of the starting 15 from 2025 but newcomers like Isobel Sheehan, Meabh Murphy, Millie Condon and Ava Fitzgerald rose to the occasion. There was just one divisional/colleges match played as UCC had to give a walkover to Carbery, who now progess into the last seven of the Premier SFC proper. Seandún beat Muskerry to earn the right to face Imokilly in the hurling equivalent but serious questions have to be raised about the merits of including representative sides in a competition where clubs are pushed to the pin of their collars. The clubs are back in the spotlight next weekend when the stakes couldn't be higher, particularly for the teams who were beaten in their opening fixtures. Among the standout fixtures are St Finbarr's against Douglas, Ballincollig v Knocknagree and Clon-Haven in the same PSFC group, Carbery Rangers and O'Donovan Rossa in a Senior A derby, Uibh Laoire and Bantry at Premier Intermediate and Kilmurry versus Buttevant at Intermediate A. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew break reflect on a cracking opening weekend of club hurling action that featured a host of Cork stars back in action for the first time since the disappointment of their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Galway. Mark Coleman certainly came up with a big moment for Blarney when he smashed home a free in the 64th minute for Blarney to beat Castlelyons by a point. Niall O'Leary marked Shane Barrett in a gripping game where former Cork defender Colm Spillane was immense.  Darragh Fitzgibbon's powerful display at midfield for Charleville in their upset over champions and favourites Sarsfields was the standout game. Dominic Foley's side had pushed Sars hard in last year's quarter-final but they showed they're contenders now. Blackrock's come-from-behind victory over the Glen was also a sensational result, given they were reduced to 14 men when they trailed 0-11 to 0-6 in the first half. Alan Connolly clipped two points from play in added time to secure an unlikely win and he also sniped an opportunistic goal. A big response to the recent criticism. Robbie Cotter and Tadhg Deasy also impressed and it was notable that Eoin Downey nailed 0-3 from distance for the Glen, who are now under pressure when they meet Kanturk later this month.  Alan Walsh scored a goal and set up two more as Kanturk hammered Fr O'Neill's while Robbie O'Flynn had 0-5 in Erin's Own's Senior A success against Na Piarsaigh. Tommy O'Connell was centre-back as Midleton had a surprisingly comfortable win over a St Finbarr's side that didn't get enough of a return from play from Brian Hayes, Ben Cunningham and William Buckley. Barry Walsh's 1-4 was key as Killeagh got the better of Fermoy and Bride Rovers' return to the top tier saw them outgun Newcestown, with Brian Roche landing 0-4 but former Cork U20 Cillian Tobin also excelling as sweeper. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Plus there's a special digital bundle offer with access to the Examiner and Clubber TV, which streams the best of the Cork GAA club matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew break down the opening weekend of Cork GAA championship action where upsets for Carrigaline and Newcestown grabbed the headlines as last year's finalists St Finbarr's and Nemo were beaten. Carrigaline were mauled by the Barrs in the opening last season and despite trailing early in the second half last Friday night, they pushed on to a win that gives them a great chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Cork footballer Brian O'Driscoll contributed heavily but Éanna Desmond was the star turn to the tune of 0-9 from play. Newcestown, beaten after extra time by Nemo in last year's semi-final, made no mistake this time. Seamus O'Sullivan nabbed 0-7 while their best-known players Luke Meade and David Buckley were to the fore as always. There's still plenty of time for the city sides to get back on track and the other member of the Premier Senior 'big three', Castlehaven, got the job done against a youthful Ballincollig despite conceding three goals. Douglas were emphatic winners over Mallow, Séan Coakley highlighting his Cork potential, and Clon, dark horses in recent years, beat newcomers Knocknagree. Cill na Martra took down Carbery Rangers in the collision between the two favourites at Senior A, while Éire Óg and Kanturk also underlined their title credentials. The performance of the weekend came from Fermoy, who were six points down with five minutes left against Naomh Abán and kicked seven without reply to win. Dohenys also roared from 11 down to draw with Aghabullogue while Newmarket put up an impressive tally in defeating Skibb. Can the hurling action across the August Bank Holiday weekend match the entertainment? With Midleton against the Barrs and Glen taking on Blackrock, there are some crackers on the horizon. We also salute Mayo, All-Ireland champions for the first time in 75 years who ended their final curse, despite going 1-5 to 0-1 down after 16 minutes. Unreal. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don't forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo's Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Echo Sport Podcast crew head into club championship mode but first, there's a look at the All-Ireland hurling final. Limerick returned to the top of the pile in emphatic fashion, easily dismantling the Galway system of counter-attacking that derailed Cork in the semi. The Tribe's lack of nous and experience against Limerick's intensity and high press was telling. So how did Cork not keep their eyes on the sliotar to have another crack off the green machine? It's all about intensity, attitude and hurling to your strengths. The All-Ireland football final takes place next Sunday, where it's difficult to look past yet another Kerry victory over Mayo. However, the focus on Leeside will be on the club scene. It's the first round of the club football championships and we look at the teams to beat in each grade.  St Finbarr's, so narrowly beaten by Dingle in the Munster final last winter, have to be favourites but they did endure a fairly indifferent league. The key for the holders is how fresh their inter-county contingent, particularly Steven Sherlock, Ian Maguire, William Buckley and Brian Hayes will be. Do Castlehaven have another kick in them? They edged out Knocknagree, a quality addition to the top tier, in a brilliant league final recently. Clon remain the dark horses but all three of those clubs, along with Ballincollig, semi-finalists last year, are in one stacked group. Carbery were impressive in the divisional section while Douglas had a solid league and Carrigaline have the physicality and firepower, highlighted by their Division 2 league triumph, to impact. Newcestown pushed Nemo all the way to extra time last season. Can they push on from that outstanding campaign? Outside of the Premier Senior Championship, we look at the matches to catch on the opening weekend. The most likely county champions are picked across all the levels, Premier Senior, Senior A, Premier Intermediate, Intermediate A and Premier Junior. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don't forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo's Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 show, we ask the key questions that Cork will have to answer from here. We look at what young players could be brought in to add further depth to the squad, with Timmy Wilk and Jack Leahy among the standouts. We also discuss how the Rebels can change their tactical approach and if there's an outside coach Ben O'Connor could add to his backroom. On the football front, reaching an All-Ireland quarter-final and gaining promotion was certainly progress but there's a feeling of a missed opportunity after seeing Mayo power past Louth into a showdown with Kerry. John Cleary's side had enough chances to defeat the Connacht side two weeks ago. At the same time, they still need to mix up their approach on the pitch, look to feed their forwards a bit quicker when they're on top in midfield and a find a couple of scoring options for an attack that relies too heavily on Steven Sherlock and Chris Óg Jones. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don't forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on the best inter-county analysis including Dalo's Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.