Cork GAA and PepsiCo today announced the renewal of their Positive Action partnership, following a first year that delivered tangible sustainability achievements at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and across the wider Cork GAA community.
The partnership focuses on raising awareness of positive climate action initiatives within the community, identifying and implementing cutting-edge sustainable technologies, and driving positive change through active participation in initiatives that align with shared values and goals. In 2024, the collaboration drove significant positive transformations, pioneering Cork’s first hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuelled event during PepsiCo’s 50th anniversary celebrations. SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh also implemented a comprehensive waste management system, the transition to certified green electricity at the stadium, and successfully established Cork GAA’s dedicated sustainability committee.
Brian Colgan, PepsiCo Little Island Site Director, said: “The first year of our partnership demonstrated how combining PepsiCo’s sustainability expertise with Cork GAA’s community reach can accelerate positive change. Our employees in Cork have embraced this collaboration, from supporting match-day initiatives to sharing technical knowledge. Through our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) framework, which is the North Star that guides all our sustainability efforts, and building on these successes, we’re aiming to achieve even more ambitious sustainability targets for 2025.”
Kevin O’Donovan, CEO, Cork GAA, said: “This partnership renewal marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. Our work in 2024 has provided us with clear, actionable insights. Working with PepsiCo, we’ve already transformed our approach to waste management and energy use. For 2025, we’re excited to expand our green initiatives across Cork through the Green Club scheme, continue to reduce our waste by helping match-goers make sustainable choices, and increase our use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.”
The partnership’s 2025 objectives include implementing actions from the completed Net Zero audit, achieving ISO20121 certification for sustainable event management, and expanding successful initiatives to clubs across Cork. The partnership will continue to focus on fossil fuel reduction, waste management improvements, and community engagement through volunteer programs.
All-Ireland champions Cork are hoping to win a first Very Camogie League Division 1A title in 12 years and they got out to the perfect start, securing a thoroughly comfortable 2-10 to 0-8 victory over Waterford at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The heavy lifting was done in the first half as Cork led 2-7 to 0-2 at the interval following a dominant first-half display. The Rebels enjoyed the perfect start, racing into a 1-2 to no score lead inside the opening ten minutes.
Hannah Looney teed up Ciara O’Sullivan to fire home Cork’s first goal of the game from an acute angle. Beth Carton did fire over two quickfire points for Waterford but from there, Cork took control, scoring 1-5 without reply to take a commanding 11-point lead to the dressing room.
Sorcha McCartan fired over a pair of points while Clodagh Finn, O’Sullivan and Kate Wall all tagged on further scores. The second goal arrived when Looney managed to bundle the sliotar over the line as Cork enjoyed a stellar first half.
Waterford rallied at the start of the second half as Carton, Niamh Rockett and Lorraine Bray all troubled the scoreboard but Cork were able to keep them at arm’s length.
McCartan proved lively in front of the posts as Cork came through despite only registering three points in the second half.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Tipperary 2-22 Cork 1-21
By Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium
Tipperary cemented their place at the top of the National Hurling League Division 1A with a four point win over great rivals Cork on Saturday night.
Played in front of a crowd of 11,357, it was the visitors’ who made the brighter start going into a three points to one lead before Tipp scored the first goal in the fourth minute with Jake Morris running onto an Alan Tynan pass and fired to the net from 21-yards.
Darragh McCarthy was to the fore for Tipp in the opening half, with his first of five points from play before Cork goaled through Brian Hayes on eight minutes after being played in by Shane Barrett.
Cork were the more threatening in the early going and stretched into a three point lead on two occasions with Cormac O’Brien and Robbie O’Flynn getting notable scores while Shane Barrett forced a good save out of Barry Hogan.
Tipp were working hard and were rewarded with four points on the bounce, all from McCarthy to retake the lead in the 21st minute. From there to half time it was more or less score for score with Tipp forcing more turnovers, but Cork were still able to work good points from Micheal Mullins and O’Flynn while Jason Forde scored two for Tipp with McCarthy bringing his tally in the half to eight in total with the best of his points from play for a slender 1-12 to 1-11 half time advantage.
Tipp pushed on at the start of the second half and opened up a four point lead with Gearoid O’Connor and Forde adding to their tallies before Cork came roaring back with inspirational leader Patrick Horgan making an immediate impact off the bench, from play and winning frees, to draw level on 54 minutes at 1-17 each.
Tipp were under the cosh but weathered the storm, responding with three points in a row from Willie Connors, man of the match Ronan Maher, and Craig Morgan, before Morgan played in sub Dylan Walsh for Tipp’s second goal on 59 minutes to go six clear.
It was a winning lead, embellished by points from sub Oisin O’Donoghue and a 10th point from Darragh McCarthy, with Cork pushing hard with Shane Barrett and Brian Hayes forcing good saves out of Barry Hogan but Tipp held on for a deserved victory.
Scorers for Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-10 (5fs), Jake Morris 1-1, Jason Forde, Gearoid O’Connor 0-3 each, Dylan Walsh 1-0, Ronan Maher (free), Craig Morgan, Willie Connors, Alan Tynan, Oisin O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-11 (6fs, 1 65), Patrick Horgan 0-3 (1f), Brian Hayes 1-0, Robbie O’Flynn 0-2, Micheal Mullins, Jack O’Connor, Cormac O’Brien, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen, Robert Doyle; Joe Caesar, Ronan Maher, Bryan O’Mara; Craig Morgan, Willie Connors; Gearoid O’Connor, Alan Tynan, Jake Morris; Sean Kenneally, Jason Forde, Darragh McCarthy.
Subs: Dylan Walsh for Kenneally (HT); Oisin O’Donoghue for Connors (55); Michael Corcoran for O’Mara (56); John McGrath for Forde (67); Noel McGrath for O’Connor (70).
Cork: Patrick Collins; Ger Millerick, Eoin Downey, Niall O’Leary; Micheal Mullins, Ciaran Joyce, Cormac O’Brien; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Ethan Twomey, Shane Barrett, Robbie O’Flynn; Jack O’Connor, Brian Hayes, Robbie Cotter.
Subs: Patrick Horgan for Cotter (46); Diarmuid Healy for O’Flynn (47); Luke Meade for O’Mahony (49); Jack Cahalane for O’Connor (55); Brian Roche for Twomey (64).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
Monaghan 3-16 (3-4-8) Cork 1-15 (1-2-11)
By Colm Shalvey at Inniskeen
Monaghan returned to winning ways in Division Two of the Allianz FL in an entertaining clash with Cork in Inniskeen on Saturday.
First-half goals by Jack McCarron, Stephen O’Hanlon and Ryan Wylie sent Monaghan on their way to their third win from four games as they once again passed the 20-point mark. 1-8 by Mark Cronin kept Cork in it, but Rory Beggan’s long-range frees into the wind in the second half proved crucial for Monaghan.
Cork were first on the scoreboard through Cathail O’Mahony, but while it took Monaghan seven minutes to open their account, their first score was a major, with Jack McCarron converting a penalty. The visitors replied through the in-form Chris Óg Jones, while both sides had shots at goal saved during the opening quarter, with Rory Beggan and Patrick Doyle denying Mark Cronin and Stephen O’Hanlon.
O’Hanlon wouldn’t have to wit too much longer, however, until he cut in to mark his first appearance of the season with Monaghan’s second goal. Seán Jones added a two-point score for the hosts, with David Garland, Ciarán McNulty and McCarron also on target, while Seán McDonnell, Paul Walsh and Cronin kept Cork in touch. Monaghan hit the net again when O’Hanlon turned provider for Ryan Wylie to coolly tuck away and send his side in at half-time leading by 3-5 to 0-5.
An exhibition of free-taking by Rory Beggan helped keep Monaghan clear in the second half, despite Cork gradually getting on top in the middle third. Cronin kicked some fine scores to keep the Rebels in the hunt and he buried the second penalty of the game on the hour mark to give their challenge further impetus.
The visitors’ were slowly working their way back into the mix, but points from Conor McCarthy and McNulty gave Monaghan some breathing space, before Beggan took his personal tally to 0-7 deep into added time.
Scorers for Monaghan: Rory Beggan 0-7 (3 2-pt-f, 1f), Jack McCarron 1-2 (1-0 pen, 2fs), Stephen O’Hanlon 1-0, Ryan Wylie 1-0, Ciarán McNulty 0-2, Seán Jones 0-2 (1 2-pt), David Garland 0-2, Conor McCarthy 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Cronin 1-8 (1-0 pen, 1 2-pt, 1 2-pt-f, 4fs), Cathail O’Mahony 0-2, Chris Óg Jones 0-2 (1f), Paul Walsh 0-1; Seán McDonnell 0-1; Conor Cahalane 0-1.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan O’Toole, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne; Ryan Wylie, Louis Kelly, Conor McCarthy; Mícheál McCarville, Gavin McPhillips; Stephen O’Hanlon, Mícheál Bannigan (Capt.), Ciarán McNulty; Jack McCarron, Seán Jones, David Garland.
Subs: Andrew Woods for Jones (52); Kieran Duffy for Wylie (55); Jason Irwin for O’Hanlon (58); Bobby McCaul for McCarron (61); Kevin Loughran for Kelly (69).
Cork: Patrick Doyle; Seán Brady, Neil Lordan, Daniel O’Mahony (Capt.); Mattie Taylor, Brian O’Driscoll, Rory Maguire; Seán Walsh, Colm O’Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Tommy Walsh, Seán McDonnell; Mark Cronin, Cathail O’Mahony, Chris Óg Jones.
Subs: Briain Murphy for Lordan (inj., 27); Ruairí Deane for O’Driscoll (38); Ian Maguire for P Walsh (42); Eoghan McSweeney for O’Mahony (53); Conor Cahalane for T Walsh (60); Luke Murphy for McDonnell (66).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).
