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Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Cork player ratings: Shane Barrett starts strong but too many fail to reach final crescendo
1 Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig) At fault for Tipperary 's crucial first goal when mis-controlling a shot that was going over the crossbar. Should have been more decisive under a long ball for Tipp's second goal. 4/10 2 Niall O'Leary (Castlelyons) On a lot of ball in the first half when Cork were mostly comfortable at the back. Scored and made a point on his forays into attack. Ultimately couldn't handle Darragh McCarthy. 5/10 3 Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers) Coped reasonably well under the dropping ball in the first half but was losing his battle with John McGrath when he picked up a second yellow for conceding a penalty. 4/10 4 Seán O'Donoghue (Inniscara) Tipp were happy for O'Donoghue to be the first receiver on short puck-outs and his distribution was patchy. His least impressive game of an otherwise excellent season. 5/10 READ MORE Cork's Seán O'Donoghue in action against Tipperary's Jason Forde. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho 5 Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr) Fought hard as usual and kept going to the end. Held Jake Morris to a couple of points from play without negating his influence. Morris must now be favourite for Hurler of the Year. 5/10 6 Robert Downey (Glen Rovers) Absolutely commanding in the first half, dominating in the air and on the ground, but the centre didn't hold in the second half when Tipp started playing the ball in front of him. 6/10 7 Mark Coleman (Blarney) Made a blistering start, sweeping up around the Cork half-back line and starting attacks, but couldn't maintain that influence and faded as the game wore on. 6/10 8 Tim O'Mahony (Newtownshandrum) After a terrific season this was his least effective performance. Made an early assist and had a couple of score involvements late in the first half but otherwise offered little in attack. 4/10 Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 9 Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville) Was the most influential of the four centre fielders in the first half, but Cork lost a grip in the middle third in the second half. Fought hard against the tide. Finished with three points from play. 6/10 10 Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold) For a young player starting just his third championship match he had a brilliant first half, scoring three points and assisting two. Couldn't get going after half-time and was eventually replaced. 6/10 11 Shane Barrett (Blarney) Superb in the opening half, rifling three points from play, including what seemed at the time like a vital goal in first-half stoppage time. Finished with 1-4 but couldn't influence the second half. 7/10 Shane Barrett celebrates scoring a goal for Cork. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho 12 Declan Dalton (Fr O'Neill's) Just like last year, he followed a terrific semi-final with an ineffective performance in the final. Landed a trademark long free in the first half, but faded badly before being replaced. 4/10 13 Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) The most effective of Cork's inside forwards in the first half, scoring one from play and making another. Missed a free just after half-time and was replaced before the hour mark. 5/10 14 Alan Connolly (Blackrock) Got his only point shortly before half-time but had struggled to get his hands on the ball before that. Ironically, fluffed the only goal chance he created by making a poor handpass instead of shooting. 4/10 Cork's Brian Hayes in action for Cork. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 15 Brian Hayes (St Finbarr's) Was smothered in the air by Ronan Maher. One of his flicks from a long puck-out resulted in a first half score, and was fouled for two frees, but was essentially neutralised by Tipp. 5/10 Bench Seamus Harnedy was lively as always, hitting the crossbar with a rasping shot for goal and scoring a late point. Damien Cahalane coped well as an emergency full back, apart from one ridiculous foul for charging. 5/10 Management Cork coped well with Tipp's extra defender in the first half but when the momentum of the game shifted violently after the break they didn't have any solutions. Too many players failed. 5/10
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
All-Ireland hurling final: Joe Canning's Cork player profiles
1 Patrick Collins Age : 28 Club : Ballinhassig Debut : v Limerick, 2021 His long puckouts to Brian Hayes are a key weapon for Cork , but Collins is good at medium-range deliveries too and his puckouts to Tim O'Mahony were particularly impressive in the semi-final. In some situations, like for Limerick 's goal in the Munster final , he needs to stay on his feet longer. READ MORE 2 Niall O'Leary Age : 27 Club : Castlelyons Debut : v Tipperary, 2019 O'Leary is a no-fuss kind of player: tight and tough. I don't think Cork will worry about match-ups in their full-back line. O'Leary loves a one-on-one battle and he'll be trusted to pick up whoever comes into his corner. One of Cork's best players in the league, he has carried that form into the championship. 3 Eoin Downey Eoin Downey of Cork will need to be at his most alert against John McGrath. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Age : 22 Club : Glen Rovers Debut : v Tipperary, 2023 For many years after Diarmuid O'Sullivan retired, number three has been a problem for Cork. Downey has nailed down the position now. Occasionally he looks vulnerable in the air, but I don't think it's a weakness. He had a brilliant final last year, but John McGrath's movement and intelligence will ask some questions. 4 Seán O'Donoghue Age : 29 Club : Inniscarra Debut : v Clare, 2018 Lost the captaincy at the beginning of the year and it looked like he might be under pressure to hold his place. However, O'Donoghue has been brilliant this season. Marked Darragh McCarthy in the league final and was lined up to mark him again in the championship until McCarthy was sent off in the first minute. 5 Ciarán Joyce Dublin's Rian McBride is blocked by Ciarán Joyce of Cork during the All-Ireland SHC semi-final. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Age : 23 Club : Castlemartyr Debut : v Limerick, 2022 Even though he likes to do a bit of hurling, Joyce is Cork's go-to man marker in the half-back line. I expect him to tag Jake Morris and the outcome of that duel will have an impact on the result. Has also done well at centre back during the championship when Robert Downey was injured. 6 Robert Downey Age : 25 Club : Glen Rovers Debut : v Limerick, 2019 Has had an injury-interrupted season but made an impact off the bench in the Munster final and was commanding against Dublin, especially under the high ball. Andrew Ormond will pose a different test this weekend and I think Tipp will target Downey's channel with pace. 7 Mark Coleman Age : 27 Club : Blarney Debut : v Wexford, 2016 Had a good final last year and his overall form this season is much better than last year. Very good going forward and delivers quick ball into his forwards, but not as effective going towards his own goal. Sam O'Farrell will have defensive duties in his own half, though, and that will suit Coleman. 8 Tim O'Mahony Cork's Tim O'Mahony scores his side's sixth goal against Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Age : 28 Club : Newtownshandrum Debut : v Clare, 2018 O'Mahony is the engine of the team and when he's going well Cork seem to go well. When he didn't have an influence against Limerick in the round-robin game, Cork had no foothold in the middle third. He's been outstanding in the last two games, returning to the form he showed in the league. 9 Darragh Fitzgibbon Age : 28 Club : Charleville Debut : v Tipperary, 2017 Cork played him at centre forward for a lot of the year, but I think centre field is his best position. O'Mahony's capacity to break up the play makes him a perfect foil and gives Fitzgibbon the freedom to attack. Had a huge game in the Munster final when Cork really needed their leaders to stand up. 10 Diarmuid Healy Age : 21 Club : Lisgoold Debut : v Clare, 2025 Did exceptionally well in the Munster final and though he's a young player in his rookie season, there seems to be no question about his temperament. Had a quieter game against Dublin in the semi-final, but he has a very bright future. Tall, athletic, rangy with a good eye for a score. 11 Shane Barrett Cork's Shane Barrett holds off Dublin's Conor McHugh. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho Age : 24 Club : Blarney Debut : v Dublin, 2020 Was one of the favourites for Hurler of the Year going into last year's All-Ireland and came back to that kind of form against Limerick in the Munster final. His shooting was off against Dublin, but even on a day like that he's always busy and asking questions. Will force Tipp to think about their options at number six. 12 Declan Dalton Age : 27 Club : Fr O'Neill's Debut : v Tipperary, 2019 After a frustrating year with injuries, he came storming back to form in the semi-final against Dublin. He also had a hugely effective semi-final last year but failed to back it up against Clare. That experience will stand to him. Takes the pressure off Patrick Horgan with long-range frees. 13 Patrick Horgan Age : 37 Club : Glen Rovers Debut : v Tipperary 2008 Deserves to win an All-Ireland and maybe it will finally come on Sunday. Cork don't depend on him nearly as much as they have over the years, which is better for everyone. Has not hit his usual percentages with dead balls but still good for a couple of scores from play. 14 Alan Connolly Alan Connolly was outstanding for Cork in the semi-final against Dublin. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Age : 24 Club : Blackrock Debut : v Limerick, 2021 Had a spectacular match against Dublin but he doesn't always deliver. He strikes me as a confidence player who needs the first couple of possessions to go well. If that happens, he could be electric. Always thinking about a goal and has scored five against Tipp in his last three games against them. 15 Brian Hayes Age : 24 Club : St Finbarr's Debut : v Tipperary, 2023 With the biggest game of the year left, he's my Hurler of the Year. Everything goes through him in the Cork attack, whether it's a long puckout or a ball sent in from the middle third. His improvement over the last 14 months has been phenomenal and nothing seems to phase him. Bench With Séamus Harnedy not fit to start, he's a huge option to come on. As well as him, they have plenty of experience on the bench: Shane Kingston, Conor Lehane and Damien Cahalane have all been around a long time. Backroom team Pat Ryan (Manager) Donal O'Rourke, Brendan Coleman, Fergal Condon, Donal O'Mahony Pat Ryan has never looked for excuses on Cork's bad days and he's never blamed the players. That's a great trait in a manager and the players will appreciate that. The way he has handled himself and the team has been hugely impressive.
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Nicky English: Cork outclassed Dublin to show favourites tag is well deserved
The cliche about goals winning matches may sound a bit obvious after the first All-Ireland semi-final but Cork unleashed some serious firepower to overwhelm an outclassed Dublin . Many of the things that had gone right for Dublin in beating Limerick came apart. They had to make changes in the full-back line. Andy Dunphy had to be replaced. Conor McHugh who was outstanding against Limerick, had to go off injured. Paddy Smith was under major, major pressure as Brian Hayes was outstanding. Cork were just dominating the puckout on both sides in the early stages. Seán Brennan's restarts were standing up into the wind and Cork were able to break it down. On their own puckout, Tim O'Mahony seemed to be free every time and Patrick Collins was able to just find him at will. Unchallenged, there was beautiful ball, hopping in front of the full-forward line where Hayes and Connolly looked very dangerous. They smelled blood and they went for it early with lovely moves, one to the other to create the chance and beautiful, close control to finish and one-handed finishes. READ MORE [ Cork return to All-Ireland final after demolishing Dublin in Croke Park Opens in new window ] [ Alan Connolly comes of age in pitch-perfect Cork full-forward line Opens in new window ] It was so disappointing for Dublin and must have been galling for Limerick to look at it and wonder how they missed out on the semi-finals. In fairness to Dublin, they did fight and got the deficit down to five points in the first half with the Cian O'Sullivan goal and Fergal Whitely coming back at Cork with two quick points after the first goal. But by half-time there was 10 points in it. Dublin were completely outclassed really. Their touch was a struggle. The pace of Cork was a struggle. It was hard for them to win ball and they were always under pressure and you just expected more goals to come. Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon in action against Dublin. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Just after half-time, Tim O'Mahony was in for a goal and then got another. It was a procession from there. Cork are hot favourites but they were really unchallenged this evening. They've scored seven goals, which hasn't happened in a semi-final since 1986. It's unlikely they'll score seven against Kilkenny or Tipperary but they are dangerous. [ Pat Ryan pours cold water but the Cork hype train has left the station Opens in new window ] The genie is back out of the bottle in Croke Park in the sun with a massive crowd supporting them and goals flying into the net. Goals can camouflage other areas and they'll have some concerns about their defence, which looked a bit vulnerable at times. Rob Downey had to go off injured and that will be another concern. They're going to take a lot of beating. When the likes of Hayes and Connolly get into space, they look irresistible. Declan Dalton also deserves a mention after coming back from injury. He was very impressive. There was a very tricky wind in Croke Park and it was swirling around this evening but Dalton's striking was phenomenal, allowing for a couple of wides. Mark Coleman is having a very good year – very neat on the ball and good delivery. They can probably expect more from Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Barrett the next day, and a few others who wouldn't be overly happy with their performance. That's a good way to go into a final after a big win – with players who have room for improvement. It may not have been a great test but they're back in the final with the experience of last year and are deserved favourites.
The 42
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'The fact it went to penalties is a bit mad' - Cork's Munster win with a difference
AS A GOALKEEPER operating at the highest level of hurling, Patrick Collins works relentlessly at preparing for game scenarios but Saturday night broke new ground for him. A penalty shootout between Cork and Limerick after an absorbing period of extra-time, was not just a new experience for the crowd watching on. 'That was my first time (involved in one),' reflected the Cork goalkeeper. 'I don't know how many of them I'd be involved in now, but to come out on top in that one was unreal. This is nuts. The fact it went to penalties is a bit mad. That's just the way we had to do it and thankfully we got out in the end.' Advertisement Collins made his mark by denying Tom Morrissey, who struck Limerick's fourth shot. Cork's goalkeeper Patrick Collins saves a penalty from Tom Morrissey. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO 'If you could get even one or two that puts the pressure back on them and takes a bit of the pressure off our lads striking them. You're hoping for a bit of luck then. It's not something we practice too often, penalty shootouts, the odd time, really. 'I don't know how many of them I'd be involved in now, but to come out on top in that one was unreal. When you're going down to the Cork crowd and you get a bit of a cheer, it gives you a bit of a lift. But whatever way it went, you just have to manage it and deal with it.' So to what extent do the Cork hurlers practice penalties? 'At the end of training we do a few penalties just for the craic, myself and the forwards. That's it, really. It's probably more so for their practice rather than me. It's a bit of a laugh after training and we do it every so often. But to think you'd have a game going into penalties, I suppose the chances are that it's going to (be) slim.' The prospect had been raised for Collins to double-job and take a penalty himself. 'Well, there was talks of it but I had enough of a job to be (saving) them, never mind taking them. He (Pat Ryan) would have (asked) alright but I said I'd concentrate on the other end. But look, the lads, there's plenty of forwards who can take penalties. 'My brother would take them (for the club). I don't even take them. I don't even practice them.' Cork's goalkeeper Patrick Collins is congratulated by supporters after the game. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Cork's ability to emerge successfully from the shootout enabled them to remedy the situation they faced ater being thrashed by 16 points by Limerick a few weeks previously. A substitute goalkeeper for the 2017 and 2018 successes, this win carries a deeper meaning for Collins as a starter and one he hopes Cork can use as a springboard heading to the All-Ireland series. Related Reads 5 talking points after Cork defeat Limerick on night of epic Munster final drama John Kiely: 'I think they got a really good rub of green in that last piece' 'It was crazy to be out on the pitch': Liverpool title celebrations and Limerick hurling glories 'Look, it's class. It's just building blocks, really. We went after a performance and that's what we got and the result took care of itself. But we're no illusion that in four weeks' time, we're going to face a big challenge again. So it's just knuckle down for the next four weeks, work really hard, get everyone back in for competition, enjoy training. I suppose it gives the few lads with injuries just [a chance] to sort out their niggles and stuff like that, but it's time to go hard now again for the next four weeks.'
Irish Examiner
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Patrick Collins: 'The fact that it actually went to penalties is a bit surreal in itself'
Patrick Collins played a pivotal role for Cork in Saturday night's historic Munster final victory. The number one custodian was the centre of attention when it came to deciding the destination of the Mick Mackey Cup. With the Cork fans united in a sea of red behind him, it was his save from Tom Morrissey - Limerick's fourth penalty taker - that gave the new champions the edge. Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane had scored but with Barry Murphy and Declan Hannon sending their efforts wide, Cork won the shootout 3-2. 'No, I never thought it would go to penalties, not at all. Far from it,' said the Ballinhassig club man. 'After training, a few of us would do a few penalties. Just, yeah, after every few sessions, but it's not something we kind of focus on, thinking that it might happen down the line. It's not something you practice too much for, penalties. 'I suppose when we got to penalties, just kind of hoping for the best and getting a bit of luck, and thankfully we did at the end. The fact that it actually went to penalties is a bit surreal in itself. You just try your best and it came out right in the end. 'I think we won the toss, yeah. I suppose the fact you're going down to the Cork crowd and you heard the cheer going down, I suppose it gave you a bit of belief, a bit of hope as well. But no, it was unreal. I'm thankful to be able to do that in front of the fans, so it's class. 'I never thought the game was gone from us at any stage. If you're thinking that, you're gone out of the moment. The game doesn't be long going if you're thinking like that. But no, whatever happens, good or bad, you're in the next moment, and you move on.' Puck-out strategy has been under so much scrutiny. So how did he think he fared? 'Yeah, look, I don't know the stats on the puck-outs, but just from thinking about what happened throughout the game, I think we got a bit of joy off of them. They won a few as well. But overall, if we work hard and get on the breaks, our puck outs did well, yeah.' The performance was a big improvement compared to the substantial 16-point defeat the previous day. 'When we came up three weeks ago, we learned a lesson that if you're a percent off at all against this Limerick team, they're going to punish you, and they did that night. We just wanted to put in a performance, that's what we wanted to do today, to put in a performance and try and do the right things, and thankfully it paid off. 'You've to try to get a good start, if you can at all, and try to go toe-to-toe with them, because if you give them a bit of a lead, it's kind of hard, especially in their home ground. But no, from the off, we wanted to get a good start, and I think we did that.' Taking the front door route to an All-Ireland semi-final is one of the rewards. 'Look, it's huge. I suppose a four-week break gives lads with a few injuries a few weeks to get them right, and get back in for competition and training. That's something we live off is the competition we have in training, and the competition that we have with the lads. We've 38 unbelievable solid lads, and each lad is pushing for their place, and it's going to be no different the next four weeks.'
