It’s been 20 years since the Liam McCarthy cup has been on Leeside, a famine for a county that is obsessed with the game of hurling.
Cork finished their league campaign top of the table and will now face their fierce rivals Tipperary at Pairc Uí Caoimh 1xBet Ireland will have some interesting takes ..
Cork still have some of the old guard that are more than hanging in there, the likes of Patrick Horgan who became the record scorer in League history and Championship last Saturday evening against the Premier county. While St. Ita’s Seamus Harnedy made his long awaited return to the Cork fold.
Cork have also unearthed some new fresh blood in the likes of Diarmuid Healy of Lisgoold, a player who caught the eye of many a Cork supporter through the league this winter.
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was the last man to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand back in 2005 and the half Fiji man will be hoping that long standing record comes to an end this summer.
Cork have been desperately unlucky over the past few seasons, a lot of rebels fans will remember back to 2013, where the narrowly lost to the Banner county after a replay and of course last summer, losing to the same opposition over ten years on.
This Cork team is different this year though, with a real depth of players from 1 to 30 and Pat Ryan and his management team have done an excellent job in moulding the Rebels into a team of hard working and diligent players.
Cork will face Tipperary on the 6th of April at Pairc Uí Caoimh and it will be their last big test before they take on Clare in the opening round of the Munster Hurling Championship at Cusack Park in Ennis.
Everyone knows the minefield that the Munster Championship is and the Rebels will be taking nothing for granted, but right now you would have to say that Cork will be one for the favourites to go all the way in the All-Ireland this year.
Limerick will still be hurting after not doing the historic five in a row last year and Clare will want to win back the Liam McCarthy cup. Cork however have been waiting in the long grass for way too long as this year could finally be the year that the end years of hurt to climb the famous steps of the Hogan Stand and life the Liam McCarthy Cup.
Big, big summer lies ahead ..