We love it.
As students of history, and even as a man who grabbed a degree in history on Leeside in my UCC days, this SportsJOE had to admit he was sceptical when news broke that Cork were going back to their traditional blue jersey for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising this month.
Just a few weeks ago it was confirmed that the county would abandon their now familiar red strip, for a blue kit with a yellow C on the front.
The story of why Cork now wear red and white rather than blue is infamous. The county’s original jerseys were stolen in 1919, and a set of togs from the Father O’Leary Total Abstinence Hall side, who had amalgamated with St Finbarr’s, were procured.
Cork went on to win the All-Ireland in the red and white, and from there on out they wore the colours of Total Abstinence Hall, eventually jettisoning the “TA” on the front of the jersey.
So, this Sunday, GAA fans will get a chance to see a piece of history before their eyes as there is hardly anyone alive who would ever have seen Cork play in anything but red and white.
The first look at the blue 1916 jerseys came at a Cork training session last night thanks to the eagle eyes of Kieran McCarthy of the Southern Star newspaper.
This is the blue jersey @OfficialCorkGAA hurlers will wear on Saturday night v @KilkennyCLG https://t.co/21KPOojNXi pic.twitter.com/QiBj5trxkL
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) March 8, 2016
The jersey is also understood to be put on temporary sale on Leeside.
We expect it to be a major hit with Cork fans.
