Patrick Collins, 27, of the Ballinhassig club, played an instrumental role in Cork’s advancement to the final, thanks to his spectacular save in the semi-final against Gillane. His rapid puckouts provide momentum essential for the team, especially during the memorable game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Next, from Castlelyons club we have 26-year-old Niall O’Leary. A meticulous and orderly defender, he has not faced relentless pressure this year. However, he’s predicted to align better with David Reidy or Ian Galvin, Clare’s agile forwards, rather than Shane O’Donnell. He is a quintessential modern corner back.
Complementing the team is Eoin Downey, 21, from Glen Rovers club. Since his appointment, Downey has been exceptional, successfully filling a problematic position. He and his brother provide a resilient core for the team. His tall stature, formidable nature, and aerial skills excel despite his relative inexperience in the crucial role; so far, he has not made a single error.
Seán O’Donoghue, 28, hails from Inniscarra club. He’s the dependable man marker, who is expected to gear up for O’Donnell. O’Donoghue’s strength and power were evident in his battled against Limerick’s Aaron Gillane, proving him nearly unmarkable when in top form. He will need to exercise more discipline than he did in the last encounter with Clare.
Ciarán Joyce is another key player for Cork. The 22-year-old from Castlemartyr is likely to interchange roles with O’Mahony. He displays a better understanding of the game when he plays at half-back, thereby making greater contributions. His participation and performance were crucial as he continually showed up when the pressure mounted in the semi-finals, making him an invaluable player to the team.
Lastly, we have Robert Downey, another member from Glen Rovers, aged 24, who forms an integral part of this strong team.
Starting at centre back during the transformative match against Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the substitute for the injured Joyce performed excellently. Like his colleagues, he displays qualities of speed, adaptability, and impressive hurling skills. Attention is required to keep tabs on Mark Rodgers though.
7. Mark Coleman
Club: Blarney. Age: 26
From the time he was part of UCC, one would have predicted a remarkable career for him. However, a combination of injuries and form deterioration affected his self-assurance. He managed to claw his spot back in the team following Joyce’s injury and had a fine performance against Limerick. A truly skilled hurler.
8. Tim O’Mahony
Club: Newtownshandrum. Age: 27
He absolutely falls into the mold of the contemporary Cork players – tall, swift, and adept at hurling, albeit prone to dubious shooting choices. Joyce excels as a better half back, but O’Mahony adapts well to the middle, as he’s experienced in playing at various positions.
9. Darragh Fitzgibbon
Club: Charleville. Age: 27
One of the smoothest, Fitzgibbon from his left-hand side is unarguably trustworthy for chipping in a few points each game. He might not be consistently present throughout the 70 minutes but he has his moments of brilliance at the heart of the field. There are a lot of swift and tall Cork players, but none surpass him when it comes to Croke Park.
10. Declan Dalton
Club: Fr O’Neills. Age: 26
His strongest asset involves his prowess in ball striking, able to fire it straight no matter the distance, be it from long-distance frees or play. His score post Hegarty’s save in the semi-final possibly sealed Limerick’s fate. Enhanced mobility manifested in his success in neutralising Kyle Hayes, a top-flight wing back.
11. Shane Barrett
Club: Blarney. Age: 23
He’s been a standout player this year, starting from the first match against Waterford and showing consistent potency even when the team was underperforming against Clare and Dublin. His subtle pass to Harnedy during the first half of the match against Limerick was commendable. In my opinion, he’s Cork’s best Hurler of the Year.
12. Séamus Harnedy
Club: St Ita’s. Age: 34
Having had a commendable year, the role played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh while things were wrapping up is particularly notable. Despite the high stakes, Pat Ryan’s bravery in reinventing the team has been praised, justifying managerial choices. Exceptional air-game skills and consistent productivity highlight his year.
Hailing from Glen Rovers, the 36-year-old Patrick Horgan has excelled for multiple seasons. His charm is magnetic, he’s the reason many fans want Cork to conquer. Although his performance on the final day wasn’t his best, less stress and reliance on his solo efforts could allow him to shine, as seen in Pairc Uí Chaoimh during the games against Clare and Limerick.
Member of the young blood, Alan Connolly aged 23, significantly impresses in his games for Blackrock. Seemingly on the brink of significant fame, Connolly proved his mettle against Waterford despite limited ball control and showed remarkable skill against Tipperary. His first possession in the semi-final demonstrated his strength and finesse, earning the label of a formidable player.
Also at 23, Brian Hayes of St. Finbarr’s has shown impressive physical development and enhanced his hurling skills. Not as swift as Connolly, Hayes matches his power. His disallowed yet phenomenal second goal against Limerick stood out. He’s continually expected to score when the team offensive becomes aggressive. This raw potential makes him a favourite among supporters.
The bench is equally capable with Robbie O’Flynn and Shane Kingston ready to infuse pace and goal-scoring energy. Ethan Twomey remains a strong contender for the mid-field. A few potential issues hamstring O’Flynn’s game, which seems somewhat lacking compared to the previous season. Kingston ignited Páirc Uí Chaoimh, making the bench a game-changer.
The management team of Pat Ryan (head coach), Donal O’Rourke, Brendan Coleman, Fergal Condon, and Donal O’Mahony steadfastly follow the classic Cork style of quick-forward ball play, creating a palpable sense of danger. The modern coaching school may not appreciate this method, however, its victories argue otherwise.