What a day it was for Cork hurling.
The county’s minor side got the ball rolling with a comprehensive triumph over Clare in the first Munster final of the day, the Rebels first minor Championship since 2008.
These Cork minors really do appear the real deal, having displayed true grit and steel to overcome a fancied Tipperary side in the semi-final, and swatting Clare’s challenge aside on Sunday with consummate ease.
They had 18 points to spare over the Banner.
The future is certainly bright Leeside with the likes of Evan Sheehan, Brian Turnbull and Robert Downey shining brightly.
The present isn’t too shabby either, with the Rebel’s seniors delivering their first Munster Championship since 2014, and a very unprecedented one at that, considering their disappointing campaigns in the last two years.
Magnificent achievement https://t.co/oLYon1iyMx
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 9, 2017
Kieran Kingston’s boys are reinvigorated this year, however, aided and abetted by the blissful ignorance of youth, with Luke Meade, Mark Coleman, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Kingston displaying maturity beyond their years all year.
These boys aren’t too long out of the minor grade, and are probably friendly with many of the county’s minor side who triumphed today.
It must’ve meant a lot to them when the Denis Ring’s troops lined the halls of Semple Stadium and roared them out onto the field before the all-important clash.
The victorious @OfficialCorkGAA Minor Hurlers gave the Seniors a guard of honour as they emerged from the dressing room… pic.twitter.com/5JcmOpvYve
— RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) July 9, 2017
It’s a game of inches and small things like this can make a big difference to a team.
That’s a sure sign of a county pulling in the same direction, and on the back of some scathing criticism from past players such as Donal Óg Cusack in recent times, it suggests a huge upturn for the Leesiders.
They’re a force to be reckoned with.
