Cork GAA and Sports Direct announce annual Football Boot Partnership


Cork Senior Hurler, Eoin Downey and Senior Footballer, Micheal Aodh Martin pictured as Cork GAA and Sports Direct announced their annual football boot partnership supporting senior  players.
Pic: Diane Cusack

Cork GAA and Sports Direct announce annual Football Boot Partnership;

Cork GAA and Sports Direct always strive to give athletes the very best of everything. Today, we
are thrilled to announce the continuation of our annual football boot partnership. With the
intercounty season now upon us, Sports Direct will ensure that all of Cork’s senior footballers
and hurlers will have a choice of the best boots on the market for the season ahead. This
continuing partnership between Sports Direct and Cork GAA reflects a shared commitment to
excellence in a high-performance environment with player welfare at its core and long-term
success in both codes as its ultimate goal.

Sports Direct understands the physical demands placed on elite players, and the critical role
that footwear plays in their performance. Elite players need boots that support speed and
stability, that offer reliability and comfort and Sports Direct are dedicated to providing football
boots for every senior Cork GAA player across both codes.

However, it’s more than that. As a result of the partnership, Cork players benefit from access to
the Sports Direct Boot Room, a specialist destination offering expert advice, detailed product
knowledge and one of the most comprehensive football boot ranges available in Ireland.
Leading global brands such as Addidas, Nike and Puma are all available to Corks hurlers and
footballers, along with many others.

The player’s experience is further enhanced through Sports Direct’s online boot selector and
personalisation options, allowing players to find the perfect fit, tailored to both their game and
their identity, allowing them to be themselves in a team environment.

Leonard Brassell, Managing Director of Sports Direct Ireland, said: “Supporting players with top-
brand football boots as part of our partnership with Cork GAA is hugely important to us. This partnership is not just a badging exercise – we genuinely get behind and champion the players. Providing the right footwear helps players focus on performance, confidence and results on the
field.”

Speaking at Sports Direct Mahon Point, Cork GAA Eoin Downey, Cork Senior Hurler. “To play
inter-county hurling is an incredible privilege and a massive commitment. When we cross that
white line anything can happen, but before we cross it, we always try to control what we can.
Being able to get the boots we need from Sports Direct allows us to put our energy into what
happens on the field, knowing we have something we can rely on, no matter what the conditions
are.”

Cork GAA, Cork Senior Footballer, Micheal Aodh Martin added, “With the Allianz League about
to commence, we will be travelling all over the country with four trips away, playing on a variety
of different pitches. Knowing that Sports Direct provides us with the best boots on the market
helps us face into the year ahead with even more confidence. We’re all chasing excellence, and
this partnership plays a big part in that.”

The Cork team to play Clare in the Co Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League has been announced;

The Cork team to play Clare in the Co Op Superstores Senior Hurling league on Monday 12th January at 7pm has been announced.

 

  1. Paudie O’Sullivan, (Fr O’Neill’s)
  2. Darragh O’Sullivan, (Ballinhassig)
  3. Dáire O’Leary, (Watergrasshill)
  4. Shane Kingston, (Ballinora)
  5. Tom Hanley, (Ballyhea)
  6. Ethan Twomey, (St Finbarr’s)
  7. Ciarán Doolan, (St Finbarr’s)
  8. Brian Keating, (Ballincollig)
  9. Brian O’Sullivan, (Kanturk)
  10. Jack O’Connor, (Sarsfields)
  11. Ben Cunningham, (St Finbarr’s)
  12. Cian Darcy, (Sarsfields)
  13. Shane Kingston (Douglas) Capt
  14. Seán Desmond, (Watergrasshill)
  15. Alan Walsh, (Kanturk)
  16. Brion Saunderson, (Midleton)
  17. Ger Millerick, (Fr O’Neill’s)
  18. Eoin Roche, (Bride Rovers)
  19. Micheál Mullins, (Glen Rovers)
  20. Jack Cahalane, (St Finbarr’s)
  21. Colm McCarthy, (Sarsfields)

Cork make emphatic start with dominant win over Tipperary

A strong Cork performance saw 13 different scorers contribute to a commanding 1-26 to 0-10 victory over Tipperary at Cappawhite as the Rebels opened their season in impressive fashion.

Ruairí Deane marked his first start since 2024 with an early goal, while Seán McDonnell was outstanding from play, finishing with 0-6 including a two-pointer, as Cork asserted control from the opening exchanges.

Cork were 1-4 without reply inside the opening four minutes. Deane, captaining the side on the day, opened the scoring with a handpassed point after just 22 seconds before palming to the net in the third minute following a pass from Chris Óg Jones. In between, McDonnell struck an early two-pointer to underline Cork’s intent.

Tipperary captain Paudie Feehan registered their first score from play and later produced an excellent goal-line save to deny Jones, but Cork continued to dominate. Further two-pointers from Cathail O’Mahony and centre-back Rory Maguire, along with a Mark Cronin free for a 4v3 breach, helped Cork to a commanding 1-11 to 0-3 half-time lead.

After the break, Mark Russell raised Tipperary’s only orange flag of the afternoon, but Cork’s grip on the game never loosened. Maguire powered forward to add another two-pointer, while Colm O’Callaghan showcased his versatility with three points – off his right, left, and fist.

John Cleary’s bench made a telling impact, with five substitutes getting on the scoresheet. Steven Sherlock marked his return to the Rebel panel with a point, while Denis O’Connor registered his first senior score on debut as Cork comfortably saw out the contest.

Scorers for Cork:
S McDonnell 0-6 (1 two-pointer), M Cronin 0-4 (1 two-pointer, free), R Deane 1-1, C O’Callaghan 0-3, R Maguire 0-2 (1 two-pointer), C O’Mahony 0-2 (1 two-pointer), B Hurley (free) 0-2, S Walsh, C Cahalane, M Taylor, S Sherlock, L Murphy, D O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary:
S O’Connor 0-4 (0-2 frees), M Russell 0-2 (1 two-pointer), E Moloney, P Feehan, C Smith (free), M Barlow 0-1 each.

Cork:
P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), S Meehan (Kiskeam), K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers); B O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), R Maguire (Castlehaven), L Fahy (Ballincollig); C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), S Walsh (Mitchelstown); R Deane (Bantry Blues, capt), S McDonnell (Mallow), C Cahalane (Castlehaven); M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), C O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).

Subs:
D Cashman (Millstreet) for B O’Driscoll, D O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for M Shanley, L Murphy (Cullen) for C O’Mahony (all h-t); D O’Connor (Knocknagree) for C Óg Jones, D Newman (St Finbarr’s) for P Doyle (both 36); B Hurley (Castlehaven) for M Cronin, S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for S McDonnell, C O’Shea (Kilshannig) for K O’Donovan, M Taylor (Mallow) for S Walsh (all 46).

Tipperary:
R McGrath; E Moloney, E O’Connell, M McFadden; D O’Brien, P Feehan (capt), L Boland; M Russell, K Costello; C Deely, B Carey, N Heffernan; C Smith, S O’Connor, M Barlow.

Subs:
J Harney for D O’Brien (25), M Stokes for B Carey (h-t); B O’Connor for L Boland, S Ryan for R McGrath, M Lowry for N Heffernan (all 46); N Heffernan for M Russell (62, inj).

Referee: Seán Joy (Kerry)

Cork Football League Fixtures

 

 

Cork’s Allianz Football League Programme for 2026 is below

Cork Hurling League Fixutures

 

 

Below are details for Cork Allianz Hurling League Fixture