Five Cork hurlers on whom All Star success didn’t shine
Diarmuid Sheehan Unsurprisingly the Rebel County has a really strong record of success in the All Stars in hurling
HAVING won nine All-Irelands since 1976, it is no surprise that Cork are strongly represented on the list of All-Star recipients in hurling.
A total of 112 awards have been brought to the Rebel county, with Tony Maher of St Finbarr’s and peerless full-forward Ray Cummins included on the initial All-Star team in 1971.
More recently, Patrick Horgan, Charleville’s Darragh Fitzgibbon and St Itas’ Seamus Harnedy were honoured in 2018, with Glen Rovers’ Horgan picking up his fourth award the following year to equal the amount accumulated by Cloyne’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan, the Barrs’ Ger Cunningham and the Glen’s Denis Coughlan.
Leading the way in terms of All-Star winners from Leeside in hurling, however, are Na Piarsaigh’s Tony O’Sullivan, Midleton’s John Fenton and the Barrs’ Jimmy Barry Murphy, who have each been selected five times.
While 52 Cork players have gained recognition in total, there is no shortage of nearly men at the same time – those who, in view of the impressive credentials they brought to the table, must be deemed a little unlucky not to feature.
Numbered among the latter are Inniscarra’s Pat McDonnell, St Catherines’ Denis Walsh, Mallow’s Fergal McCormack, Sarsfields’ Teddy McCarthy and Daniel Kearney, Argideen Rangers’ Mark Foley, Midleton’s Mickey O’Connell and Ger Fitzgerald, the Barrs’ Seamus Looney and Blackrock’s John Browne, to mention just a few.
Five stand-outs in my book are the following.
Timmy McCarthy (Castlelyons)
FEW players have been so maligned over the course of their careers as Timmy McCarthy ( main picture).
While his qualities went unappreciated in many quarters, however, it goes without saying he wouldn’t have spent over a decade operating at the highest level under seven different Cork managers if he didn’t have a lot to offer.
He made his championship debut in 1999 when Jimmy Barry-Murphy threw six rookies – Blackrock’s Wayne Sherlock, Cloyne’s Dónal Óg Cusack, Midleton’s Mickey O’Connell, Newtownshandrum’s Ben O’Connor and Ballyhea’s Neil Ronan were the others – in at the deep end for the Munster semi-final against a fanced Waterford outfit.
It’s history now that JBM’s decision to give youth its fling yielded rich dividends, with Cork going on to account for Waterford, Clare and defending All-Ireland champions Offaly in turn before lifting the top prize by virtue of a narrow win over Kilkenny.
Instrumental in bringing about the downfall of the Cats in the final was the impact made by McCarthy after being switched from wing-forward to midfield in the second-half, leaving him with legitimate claims for All-Star selection in 1999.
Willie Walsh (Youghal)
WILLIE Walsh was in his third season as a regular with the Cork seniors when the All-Star teams came into being in 1971, and he would have been an automatic choice at centre-forward had they existed in 1969 and 1970.
His contribution to Cork’s league and Munster championship triumphs in ‘69, and to the All-Ireland win in ‘70, was certainly immense, but, for whatever reason, he didn’t feature on the team that fell to Kilkenny in the ‘72 showpiece.
It meant he didn’t taste championship success at inter-county level again until 1975 when he was back to his best, as was evidenced when he gave the legendary Éamonn Cregan a torrid time in the Munster final, doing much to signpost the path to victory over Limerick in the process.
Hit by three goals in the opening ten minutes, Cork suffered a shock two-point defeat in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway, denying the Youghal man the opportunity to exhibit his talents on the big day in Croke Park for a third time.
His premature retirement arrived following the ‘75 campaign, bringing the curtain down on a relatively short inter-county career in which, for many, he showed enough to merit a rating as one of the best centre-forwards ever to play for Cork.
Tom Kenny (Grenagh)
IN his first championship campaign with Cork, Tom Kenny made a huge impression, so much so that he was a front-runner for a wingback berth on the All-Star team prior to the 2003 All-Ireland final. He endured an uncomfortable opening 20 minutes against
Kilkenny’s Tommy
Walsh in the showpiece, however, and it cost him, despite doing well after moving to midfield in a switch with Na Piarsaigh’s John Gardiner.
He turned in countless outstanding displays at midfield subsequently, especially between 2004 and 2006 when his partnership with Newtownshandrum’s Jerry O’Connor was a key factor in enabling Cork to qualify for three more finals, achieving back-to-back success in ‘04 and ‘05.
Yet, he was constantly overlooked by the All-Star judges, and maybe Jerry O’Connor’s selection in ‘04, ‘05 and ‘06 militated against his chances, given that it’s rare for two players from the same county to get the nod at midfield in the same year.
Whether or which, the Grenagh clubman, notwithstanding the absence of an All-Star award in his trophy cabinet, has to go down as one of the most elegant and accomplished hurlers of his generation.
Pat Hartnett (Midleton)
AS with Tom Kenny, Pat Hartnett took to the big-time like a duck to water in his debut season at the top level in 1984.
And, as with Kenny, his claims for AllStar recognition probably suffered because one of the midfield slots went to his Cork colleague, and Midleton club mate, John Fenton in the Centenary year.
There could be no quibbling about Fenton’s inclusion, as he was an inspirational team skipper in 1984, but equally nobody would dispute that Cork’s emergence from Munster owed much to Hartnett’s heroics in the provincial decider.
Looking dead and buried entering the last quarter, it was Hartnett’s power-packed play at midfield that ignited a Cork resurgence culminating in a brace of late goals from Na Piarsaigh’s Tony O’Sullivan and Youghal’s Seanie O’Leary, which served to snatch the laurels from Tipperary’s grasp in Thurles. Hartnett won a second All-Ireland medal at wing-back in 1986 - his skilful, fearless and forceful exploits again to the fore during Cork’s march to glory that year.
Martin Coleman (Ballinhassig)
IT’S generally accepted a goalkeeper’s prospects of All-Star selection increases significantly in the wake of an All-Ireland success. So, it’s fair to say Martin Coleman, Cork’s net-minder on the 1976-1978 three-in-a-row team, is entitled to feel a little aggrieved that he was never chosen in the No 1 position.
It’s not that he didn’t contribute tellingly to the completion of the treble, which would have been derailed in its infancy had he not excelled between the sticks in the Munster semi-final against Tipperary in 1976.
The Ballinhassig man brought off a string of marvellous saves in a game that Cork won by just a point, while he also made an indelible contribution to the 1977 All-Ireland final victory over Wexford.
Proving equal to a rasper from the Slaneysiders’ Christy Keogh in the dying minutes, Coleman ensured Cork held out for a three-point triumph and that his name would forever be favourably linked to one of the most glorious eras in Cork’s hurling history.
THE current model for recognising individual brilliance in the GAA comes in the form of the All Star – a GAA player’s only real way of standing out from the crowd in a team environment that is the corner stone of what makes the GAA special.
The GAA All Stars came into being all of 50 years ago (1971) and are now seen by most as the greatest honour that can be bestowed on a player. The idea of recognising the player came into being in 1965 with the Cú Chulann awards with the All Stars then following-on six years later.
In the early days Cork saw four players receive the former award – Denis O’Riordan the first Cork hurler to be celebrated in 1965. Next up came Denis Murphy, Paddy Barry and Seánie Barry in 66 – the last players to receive the Cú Chulann’s before the change over to the all Stars five years later.
Ray Cummins
RAY Cummins of Blackrock was the first Cork player to be recognised with an All Star in both football and Hurling in 1971. Cummins a dual player of the highest quality was the county’s only football representative in 1971, but was joined by Tony Maher on the hurling team of the same year. Two football All Stars and three hurling marked Cummins down as one of the greatest of all time.
Tony Maher
TONY Maher joined Cummins on the 1971 team at right corner back – his first of two all Star awards picked up by the St Finbarr’s man.
An Ireland title with Cork, four Munster medals and three National League wins showed the quality of this defending powerhouse. Maher also won 13 major medals with the Glanmire club during an impressive sporting career.
Con Roche
CON Roche was another St Finbarr’s
man to excel for both club and county with nine major medals for his club – including two All-Ireland titles as well as eight medals for his beloved county. Four Munster crowns as well as a pair of leagues and All Irelands have filled Roche’s trophy cabinet while also being awarded two All Stars 1972 and 73.
Denis Coughlan
DENIS Coughlan won 10 senior inter-county Munster titles with Cork during his spell with the senior squads – six hurling and four football. Coughlan also has four All Ireland medals (three in hurling) and a brace of All Stars - both with the small ball.
Coughlan was a dual player of real quality and his long list of accolades goes some way to show just what Blackpool man achieved.
Charlie McCarthy
NOT that many players in Ireland can boast of being a triple All Star but St Finbarr’s legend Charlie McCarthy can do just that. McCarthy won nine Munster medals with Cork as well as five Celtic Crosses and four national League wins in a period when Cork were almost invincible. McCarthy represented his county 45 times between 1965 and 1980 and will go down as one of the true greats of Cork hurling.
John Horgan
BLACKROCK’S John Horgan secured his first of three All Stars in 1975. The corner-back bagged a host of titles with both club and county securing seven All Ireland medals (four with Cork) during an inter-county career that lasted from 1968 to 1981. Horgan also collected four All Ireland medals with Cork’s senior team as well as six provincial titles and four National League wins. 26 appearances for Cork show just what a solid performer Horgan was during the successful 1970s.
Gerald McCarthy
WHEN it comes to inter-county honours few can compete in the game of hurling with Gerald McCarthy. The St Finbarr’s man collected nine Munster medals, three National League wins and three Celtic Crosses during a career that lasted 16 years, 1964 – 1979. 41 first team starts for the Rebels and one All Star at midfield in 1975 help cement McCarthy’s legacy in Cork. McCarthy also went on to manage Cork from late 2006 to early 2009.
Mick Malone
A PAIR of All Stars, the first coming in 1976 show just what a fine player Éire Óg’s Mick Malone was for Cork for almost the entire 1970s. Malone, a wing-forward of genuine quality also collected four provincial medals at senior level as well as two leagues and two All-Ireland wins during his eight-year career with the inter-county side. Malone played 18 times, scoring 4-22 in that spell.
Pat Moylan
PAT Moylan may have been selected just once for an All Star, 1976, but his credentials as a quality player show he was much better than his solitary award might suggest. Moylan played 14 times for Cork over 11 years but in that time amassed three provincial medals, two leagues and a trio of All Ireland championship medals. Playing for his beloved Blackrock, Moylan won 13 major honours including five provincial and three All Ireland wins.
Jimmy Barry Murphy
THE legendary Jimmy Barry Murphy needs no introduction to those that love GAA both here in Cork and much farther afield. Jimmy Barry Murphy may well be synonymous with the game of hurling, a sport which honoured him with five All Stars, but he was also quite the footballer, winning two All-Ireland medals and also two All-stars. 1973 and 1974 were the years he made was recognised for his individual footballing talents before he dedicated his sporting prowess to the small ball – a decision that would pay dividends for both himself and his county with 10 Munster titles, five All Irelands, two leagues and five more All Stars. Barry Murphy would also go on to manage successfully Cork’s senior hurlers.
Seánie O’Leary
SEÁNIE O’Leary is one of the most decorated hurlers of not only his, but of any generation. Nine Munster, four leagues and four All Ireland Final wins were capped off with three All Stars, the first of them coming in 1976. O’Leary, who was born, raised and represented Youghal at corner forward throughout his career, played 36 times for the rebels in an inter-county career that spanned from 1971 to 1984.
Martin O’Doherty
A STELLAR career with both Glen Rovers and Cork was rewarded with a bag load of awards for full back Martin O’Doherty. The hurling star claimed a half dozen Munster senior hurling titles with Cork, two with his club, three All Irelands with
Cork, two with the Glen, and three All Stars for his endeavours with the boys in red. O’Doherty played 25 times for Cork’s senior squad and always delivered – hence his impressive selection of medals.
Tom Cashman
IN 1977 Tom Cashman won his first of three all Stars. The Rockies wing back was, and still is, one of the most recognisable and loved hurlers of any generation on Leeside. Eight Munster medals and four Celtic Crosses in a career that spanned 13 years with Cork – Cashman played 36 times for his county. Cashman also won nine major medals with his club, four counties, three Munster and two All Irelands were brought home in this glittering career.
Brian Murphy
FROM 1971 Brian Murphy was one of the stalwarts in both of Cork’s hurling and football teams bagging All Stars in both codes. Murphy, a Nemo Rangers star for all of 17 years, is still regarded as one of the best dual players to ever represent the county holding down a corner back spot with Cork footballers from 72 to 79 while representing the hurlers from 71 to 83. Murphy bagged a pair of hurling All Stars seven Munster titles, three All
Irelands and three leagues for cork while also claiming 17 major crowns with Nemo Rangers.
Dermot McCurtain
ANOTHER Blackrock legend, Dermot McCurtain, was the first Cork All Star of the 80s, playing wing back for the rebels for a decade, 77 to 87. McCurtain played 35 times for his county and while he rarely rose a flag, he was one of the most feared defenders of his time in the blood and bandage. Eight Munster titles, two leagues and three All Irelands show a real class hurler – all capped off with a trio of All Stars.
Pat Horgan
BEFORE the Patrick Horgan that currently excels on the hurling pitch for Cork there was another Pat Horgan – and this one also played hurling for Glen Rovers. Pat Horgan represented Cork from 1977 to 1988 stepping out 22 times for his county. Horgan was a hurler of real quality and from his preferred berth of centre forward he managed to bag six provincial titles, three All Irelands and two leagues – as well as a pair of All Stars for his efforts. Horgan also won two Munsters and an All-Ireland club title with The Glen.
Tony O’Sullivan
NA Piarsaigh have produced quality hurlers for many years and few more impressive than Tony O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan played his best hurling at wing forward cutting in from the right to torment defenders from every county. O’Sullivan won seven Munster titles with Cork between 1982 and 1995 playing 39 times for the Rebels – he also won three All Irelands and two leagues and was honoured five times with All Stars showing just how highly the attacker was regarded outside his beloved Cork.
Tim Crowley
TIM Crowley may well have secured just one All Star (1982) however that solitary award in no way reflects just what a quality player the Newcestown man actually was. Crowley played for Cork between the years of 1976 and 1985 lining out 29 times for the reds. Seven Munster titles, two leagues and three All Irelands give a better indication of just what a player Crowley was – a quality centre forward for both club and county.
John Fenton
WHEN it comes to Cork All Stars there are few that can match the great John Fenton. The Midleton born and bred midfielder represented Cork 31 times between 1975 and 1987. During his 13-year shift Fenton con 11 major honours with Cork including a pair of All Ireland wins. Fenton captained Cork to the All-Ireland in 1984. Fenton was also awarded five All Stars in a row during his brilliant career and also scored “the greatest goal in the history of hurling” when he blasted home against Limerick in 1987 from over 40 yards out. Fenton also won six major medals with Midleton including one All Ireland.
Ger Cunningham
IN 1984 one of Cork’s most legendary performers won his first of four All Stars. A keeper and leader at the highest level, Cunningham represented Cork 50 times between the sticks almost singlehandedly making the red and white hoops one of the most iconic jerseys in the history of Irish sport. Cunningham won six
Cork titles and a Munster with
his beloved St Finbarr’s while collecting a hugely impressive seven provincial, three leagues and three All Irelands with the Leesiders. Cunningham is now back on the line with Kieran Kingston’s current crop looking to get Cork back to where they were when the Togher reigned supreme.
John Crowley
BISHOPSTOWN centre back Johnny Crowley secured his one and only All Star in 1984 after impressing for Cork from the mid-seventies. Crowley played with Cork from 1976 to 87 lining out 39 times for the Rebels. During his impressive career the number six won nine Munster medals, one National League and five All Ireland titles, but surely the all Star takes pride of place for a player that deserved much more in the line of individual praise.
Tomás Mulcahy
MANY will know Tomás Mulcahy more for his TV punditry than his hurling however long before his dulcet tones beamed out over the airwaves the Glen Rovers man was impressing on the field. 1984 saw Mulcahy claim his first of two All Stars which sit nicely with his five Munster medals, his one National League and of course his trio of Celtic Crosses – an impressive haul for a player that lauded it at wing forward for just over a decade. Mulcahy lined out 27 times for Cork notching up 11-22 in that time.
Denis Mulcahy
WHEN Midleton were the side to beat in the eighties Denis Mulcahy was the corner back few wanted to face. Mulcahy was a quality hurler that left nothing in the dressing room – something that was recognised by Cork - staring for the rebels from 1981 to 1992. Mulcahy bagged his one and only All Star in 1986 but also has two All Irelands, one league and four Munster crowns to his name. For Midleton Mulcahy also won plenty with an All-Ireland, four counties and two Munster medals.
Kevin Hennessy
WHEN Denis Mulcahy was doing his stuff at the back, his club mate Kevin Hennssey was impressing for club and county up front – securing himself an All Star in 1986. Hennessy played at left corner forward winning seven Munsters and three all Irelands in a career that lasted for 12 seasons, 1982 – 1993. Four County wins, two Munster medals and one All-Ireland for Midleton showed Hennessy’s commitment to the game at both club and inter-county grades.
John Considine
BETWEEN 1988 and 1993 John Considine represented Cork eight times winning one Munster title, one National League and of course one All Ireland medal. Considine, a quality hurler with cork, Sarsfields and UCC in his time won his only All Star in 1990 – he also won four Fitzgibbon titles with the college in an impressive – if short, inter-county career.
Seánie O’Gorman
SEÁNIE O’Gorman lined out for Cork 16 times between 1979 and 1995 – usually at his preferred position of corner-back. The Milford man secured two Munster medals, one National; League and an All-Ireland in that time while also impressing for his division, Avondhu. O’Gorman, excelled every time he took to the field and was called to be an All Star twice during his glistening career.
Jim Cashman
QUALITY centre-backs are like hen’s teeth at times so when a good one comes along it is important that they are recognised – that was definitely the case for Jim Cashman who represented Blackrock and Cork in the 80s and 90s. Cashman, brother of All Star Tom, won three Munster medals, two All Irelands and a National League during a career that lasted 12 seasons for Cork. Cashman also was awarded a pair of All Stars – the first of those coming in 1990. Cashman played 29 times for Cork and also won two County Championships with the Rockies in a glittering career.
John Fitzgibbon
A BRACE of All Stars, the first coming in 1990, gives some idea of just what a significant hurler John Fitzgibbon was to Cork between 1986 and 1993. The Glen Rovers man played 17 times for his county winning three Munster crowns, one National League and a pair of All Ireland medals in his seven years with the county squad. Fitzgibbon was a terrific corner forward with a significant scoring ratio that marked him down as a forward of real quality.
Cathal Casey
ST Catherine’s haven’t produced that many Cork senior stars in their time but one player that did come from the Ballynoe club to represent his county was wingback Cathal Casey. Casey played 14 times for Cork between 1986 and 1995 claiming two Munster medals, a National League and All Ireland Celtic Cross to add to one All Star deservedly received in 1991. Casey also hurled for UCC for five seasons, 86 to 91 winning four Fitzgibbons.
Seánie McCarthy
BALLINHASSIG’S Seanie McCarthy played 16 times for Cork between 1987 and 1996 winning an All Star for his performances in the 1992 season. McCarthy represented his club and division, Beara, with distinction for years but it was with his county that he came to peoples’ attention winning two Munster titles, one league and one All-Ireland medal during his credible shift in the red and white. McCarthy played his best hurling at wing back but was versatile when required – a quality defender playing with some of the best players of his generation.
Brian Corcoran
BRIAN Corcoran was a dual star of the highest quality representing and succeeding in both codes for Cork between 1991 and 2006. Corcoran played 56 times for Cork (17 in football) winning eight Munster titles (three football) two Leagues (hurling) and three All Ireland medals in his illustrious career. Corcoran was recognised on three occasions with All Stars (hurling). The Erin’s Own man retired from inter-county action in 2001 but came back in 2004 to help Cork win the biggest prize in 2004 and 2005 – the last time the Rebels lifted the Liam MacCarthy.
Barry Egan
DELANEY Rovers wouldn’t be known as a club that has an assembly line of inter-county stars at their disposal however in 1993 Barry Egan broke the mould winning his one and only All Star at wing-forward for the Rebels. Egan played 10 times for Cork between 1992 and 1998 winning a Munster and two National League medals however his individual attributes were recognised in his second year with the county – an All-Star worthy of his abilities.
Fergal Ryan
FERGAL Ryan played hurling for his beloved Blackrock from 1990 to 2014 winning three county titles along the way. During that time, Ryan represented Cork from 1992 to 2002 playing 17 times for the county winning two Munster titles, one National League and the all-important All Ireland medal. Ryan was deservedly selected as an All Star in 1999 along with a host of the Cork greats that would go on another decade or more in the blood and bandage.
Diarmuid O’Sullivan
WHEN it comes to All Stars in hurling they don’t come much bigger than Diarmuid (The Rock) O’Sullivan. The Cloyne man was a man mountain for Cork in both hurling and football but it was with the small ball that he did all his best work winning five Munster medals, three All Ireland titles, one league and four All Stars during one of the most impressive and unforgettable hurling careers in Cork history. O’Sullivan is currently selector with Cork’s senior hurling squad under manager Kieran Kingston and will have a big say going forward in what happens to Cork’s senior hurlers.
Dónal Óg Cusack
DÓNAL Óg Cusack is one of the most recognisable sports stars in Ireland over the last 20 years. The ex Cork goal keeper has made headlines both on and off the field since he first joined the Cork senior panel back in 1996 – only hanging up his boots in 2013 after one of the most impressive hurling careers ever on Leeside. Cusack win five Munster titles, three All Irelands, a National League and two All Stars during his 58 games as net minder for the Rebels. Most recently Cusack was Cork minor manager for the 2020 campaign – he is also a regular pundit on RTÉ – a very busy man indeed.
Joe Deane
FROM the minute Joe Deane stepped onto a hurling pitch it was obvious he was destined for greatness. Deane, from Killeagh, revolutionised the role of the corner forward, transforming it into a role best suited to agile, talented and quick hurlers with an eye for goals and a willingness to shoot while on the run. Deane was, and may well always be, one of the greatest corner-forwards to ever represent his county, putting the fear of God into defenders from every corner of the country. Five Munster titles, three All Irelands and a National League all sit nicely beside his three All Stars – his first coming in 1999. There will likely never be another Joe Deane.
Seán Óg Ó hÁilpín
SEÁN Óg Ó hÁilpín is one of the most recognisable sporting figures to ever grace a sporting field in Ireland. The Na Piarsaigh man was an almost ever present for Cork from 1996 to 2012 playing 55 times for Cork’s hurlers – 11 games for the senior footballers between 1999 and 2001 showed the Fiji born man’s versatility in Gaelic games. Five Munster titles, three All Irelands and a solitary League medal collected when representing Cork’s at senior hurling with one Munster football medal a league with the bigger ball. Ó hÁilpín was awarded three All Stars for his efforts while also being named as Hurler of the Year, RTÉ Sports personality of the year and the GPA Hurler of the Year in 2004.
Setanta Ó hÁilpín
SETANTA O’hAilpín may well have made the most of his physical prowess when moving to Australia to be a professional AFL player but before the Na Piarsaigh man made his fortune down in the Southern Hemisphere he made waves in Irish sport with Cork’s senior hurlers. Ó hÁilpín had a short, but impressive career with Cork winning an All Star and a Young Hurler of the Year award for his efforts in 2003 with the blood and bandage. At the end of 2003 Ó hÁilpín called time on his hurling life and moved to Oz. The following year, Ó hÁilpín made a surprise comeback to hurling and won an All-Ireland for Cork.
Ronan Curran
RONAN Curran played his club hurling with St Finbarr’s from 1999 to 2014 but it was with Cork that the centre back would make a name for himself with three Munster medals, two All Irelands and three All Stars received. Curran represented Cork 42 times at senior level from 2001 to 2011 winning his first All Star in 2003, his second a year later with his third coming two years after that in 2006. Curran is widely regarded as one of Cork’s finest hurlers in the first decade of the 21st century.
Wayne Sherlock
WAYNE Sherlock won his only All Star in 1999 – his first campaign as a senior player with Cork. The Blackrock man lined out for Cork from 99 to 2007 donning the rebel jersey 27 times in a career that saw him claim three All Irelands and five Munster medals. Sherlock was a corner back of real quality and also claimed three Cork County Championship titles during his 16 years with The Rockies.
Jerry O’Connor
JERRY O’Connor is one half of the only set of twins to ever win an All Star with his brother Ben by his side. Jerry O’Connor was a midfielder of the highest quality for both club (Newtownshandrum) and county winning eight major honours with the former and six with the rebels (four Munster and two All-Ireland Celtic Crosses). Jerry has also three All Stars in his bulging trophy cabinet gained for some wonderful displays during his 49 appearances for Cork.
Niall McCarthy
ONE of the finest hurlers to ever come from Carrigtwohill, Niall McCarthy played for his club for 15 years and his couty for almost as long. McCarthy won three county titles with Carrigtwohill however it was with Cork that he really shone bagging three Munster titles, two All Irelands and one All Star. McCarthy could play anywhere on a hurling pitch but excelled in his favoured role of number 11. 50 appearances for Cork show just what a talented and resilient player McCarthy really was.
Pat Mulcahy
PAT Mulcahy was one of a truly great generation of north Cork hurlers hailing from the conveyor belt that is Newtownshandrum. Mulcahy, a full-back of the highest quality, represented Newtown, Avondhu and of course Cork during his hurling career, lining out 18 times for Cork between 1997 and 2006. Mulcahy has a pretty impressive war chest art home with four Munster wins, one National League, a pair of Celtic crosses and one All Star (collected in 2005). Five Cork County medals, three provincial wins and an All-Ireland medal with Newtown round off this player’s senior medal collection.
Ben O’Connor
BROTHER of Jerry, Ben O’Connor is one of the most recognisable, inspirational and talented hurlers to ever pick up a stick in the county of Cork. Born and raised in Newtownshandrum, Ben O’Connor has been steeped in the game since he was a boy and even after finishing continues to run a successful hurler making business at home. For his club, Ben has done it all, with four county titles, three Munster medals and the all-important All Ireland win. For his county O’Connor has five Munsters, three All Irelands and a pair of All Stars, not enough considering what this player brought to the table.
ANOTHER quality player from Na Piarsaigh, John Gardiner was a star for Cork when the county needed players to stand tall and collect the winnings. In the halfback line, Gardiner was one of the most formidable opponents one could expect to face during the first decade of the century with three Munster wins, two All Irelands and of course the coveted All Star in 2005. Capped 47 times for his county, John Gardiner would make most Cork teams of the century.
Anthony Nash
ANTHONY Nash retired earlier this year after a 15-year long association with the Cork senior hurling squad. After filling the shoes of Dónal Óg Cusack, Nash made the Cork number one jersey his own for a decade or more winning four Munster titles and two All Stars. Nash also helped steer his beloved Kanturk from a junior to a senior club in that time and has left a legacy behind him in the famous candy-striped jersey that few will likely forget in a hurry. A keeper of the highest quality Nash’s abilities with the ball in hand even resulted in a rule change, such was his impact on the game he loved. Nash will likely finish his hurling career with the South Liberties in Limerick.
Seamus Harnedy
SEAMUS Harnedy continues to be one of the best hurlers in the country and remains as one of the most important players available to Cork as they strive to win back the Liam MacCarthy.
Harnedy has been a hugely consistent figure for the blood and bandage since he began his career 10 years ago and continues to do all he can to bring an end to Cork’s All Ireland famine. Harnedy plays centre-forward, the position he was awarded his two All Stars for. Three Munster medals will ease the pain of no Championship win however Harnedy is far from finished yet and may yet put a tick in the Celtic Cross column.
Patrick Horgan
PATRICK Horgan is unquestionably the best player playing the game right now without an All-Ireland medal. Horgan is one of the finest hurlers to ever pick up a hurl and in another era, may well have six or seven All Irelands to his name but for now he will have to settle for three Munster medals and four All Stars.
Horgan excels every time he takes to the field, also driving his beloved Glen Rovers to a pair of county wins in his time. Horgan is still only 32 and has time to get the accolade he deserves – he also has time to add to his impressive All Star tally.
Mark Coleman
BLARNEY’S Mark Coleman won his one and only All Star when he
was just 20 years of age after he burst on the inter-county stage with cork the same year. Now, 23, has cemented his place in Kieran Kingston’s first fifteen with his ability to defend from wing back and his talents going forward with ball in hand or from the ground. Coleman is a wonderful exponent of the side-line cut and will likely pick up a host more All Stars if Cork can start getting themselves into the latter stages of national championships. Coleman has already played 20 times for Cork, a figure that will rise and rise in the coming years.
Darragh Fitzgibbon
CHARLEVILLE’S Darragh Fitzgibbon is the great hope for Cork hurling. Fitzgibbon kicked off at a very similar tome to Coleman after impressing in the league and fast become one of the most important players that Cork have. The north Cork man has two Munster medals and one All Star but he has also managed to guide Charleville to the top table of Cork hurling for the first time.
Fitzgibbon is likely to be the man that Cork build their next squad around as his pace, his engine and his ability to do the right thing at the right time sees him stand out from the crowd and hopefully will see him hurl for his county for the next decade or more.
He really is that good.