The McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championships enter the knockout phase this weekend, with Q-Finals across every grade set to light up pitches around the county. For clubs, the equation is simple: win and march on, lose and the dream ends here.

Saturday Showdowns

Saturday is packed from early afternoon, starting in Boherbue where Millstreet and Ballydesmond collide in the Premier Junior quarter-final. Later in the day, Cullen and Canovee battle in Donoughmore, while Inniscarra and Cobh meet in Grenagh — three ties that promise fierce competition and no shortage of drama.

The Intermediate ‘A’ Championship quarter-finals add further intrigue. At 4:00, Dromtarriffe meet St Vincents in Macroom, before Ilen Rovers face Mitchelstown in Newcestown at 4:30. The evening closes in Rossmore, where Gabriel Rangers take on Ballinora with a semi-final place at stake.

In the Premier Intermediate grade, Aghabullogue meet Kiskeam in Banteer at 4:15, followed by Glanmire against Aghada in Lisgoold at 5:00 — both ties with the potential for high scores and high drama.

The Senior ‘A’ Championship brings heavyweight clashes too, as Knocknagree face Kanturk in Kilbrin, while Fermoy lock horns with O’Donovan Rossa at a venue yet to be confirmed.

And all eyes will turn to Enniskeane at 5:00, where Carbery Rangers take on Valley Rovers in a Senior Football Championship quarter-final that could define the season for both sides.

Sunday Drama

The quarter-final action continues on Sunday, with a triple-header of Senior Championship ties. At Páirc Uí Rinn, Newcestown and Carrigaline get proceedings underway at 2:00, before Ballincollig face the might of Duhallow at 4:00. In between, neutrals will flock to Clonakilty for a titanic clash between St Finbarr’s and Castlehaven at 3:00 — a game steeped in rivalry and history.

Elsewhere, in the Senior ‘A’ Championship, Éire Óg meet Bishopstown in Ballyanley at 3:00, while in the Premier Intermediate Championship, Bandon and Macroom lock horns in Kilmurry at 2:00.

Patrick Horgan’s decision to retire from intercounty hurling brings to an end a glittering 18 year career in the red and white of Cork.

Over that period, since his championship debut in 2008, Patrick would become one of the most accomplished players in the game, and the talisman of the Cork team. 

A Cork minor and U21 player, he won four Munster senior hurling titles with Cork and played in four All Ireland senior finals. His last All-Ireland Final appearance came 12 years after his first.  He is the all-time record scorer in both the National Hurling League, and All-Ireland senior championship. He is also a four time All Star winner.

He won two Cork county senior hurling titles with his beloved Glen Rovers, with his first, in 2015, coming 26 years after the last time the Glen won the championship. He also won minor and U21 county titles with the Glen. He went on to play in six county finals and became the all-time leading scorer in Cork club championship hurling.

This list of achievements over his career is testament to his greatness. Yet for all this array of medals and awards, he will perhaps be remembered best as the embodiment of the aspirations of a new generation of Cork supporters who, unlike previous generations, had not been reared on All Ireland victories, but who nonetheless craved for success, and followed the Cork team in their thousands.

For this generation, and for all Cork supporters, the popular name ‘Hoggie’ became synonymous with their hopes and dreams of glory.
While a senior All Ireland medal sadly eluded Patrick, his name is enshrined with the greats of Cork hurling. His departure will cause much sadness on Leeside, but will also prompt an outpouring of pride in the wonderful memories and great days that Patrick’s exploits inspired.

Cork GAA Chairman Pat Horgan noted, ‘This is a sad day for Cork supporters, coming so soon after the huge disappointment of the All-Ireland Final. Patrick Horgan can justly lay claim to be one of the greats of Cork hurling. To him, and to his family who supported him over his career, I say, on behalf of the Cork GAA family, thank you for everything.’

Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan said, ‘Patrick Horgan became an icon for a new generation of Cork supporters in the 2000s, who flocked in their thousands to support the Cork hurlers. His commitment, dedication and pursuit of excellence saw him become an inspiration to so many. He is a credit to his family, club and county. We thank him for the wonderful memories.’