McGrath Cup Final: Cork edge out Kerry

McGrath Cup Final

CORK 0-16 KERRY 0-15

A strong second-half showing from Cork was the key to their narrow victory over Kerry in today’s McGrath Cup Final.

It was a sweet win for the Rebels who hadn’t defeated their great rivals in Fitzgerald Stadium in a competitive match since the 1995 Munster Final.

Kerry looked the more likely winners in the first half and led at the break by 0-9 to 0-5 with forwards like Sean O’Shea and Tony Brosnan looking sharp.

But there had been warning signs that Cork could trouble the Kerry defence in the first half too when they passed up two very good goal chances.

They were more clinical in the second half and got an early boost when Chris Óg Jones and Colm O’Callaghan kicked points.

By the three-quarter mark they were level courtesy of a Brian Hurley two-point free and it was nip and tuck from there to the final whistle.

Brosnan put Kerry ahead again with a classy two-pointer but Cork responded with scores from Mattie Taylor and Seán McDonnell.

The Kingdom looked like they might take the spoils when points from Brosnan and Killian Spillane edged them ahead in injury-time, but Cork came with an impressive late burst as points from Hurley and Jones clinched a great victory.

The Cork Senior Football team to play Kerry in the McGrath Cup Final has been announced;

The Cork Senior Football team to play Kerry in the McGrath Cup final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Saturday 17th January at 1.30pm has been announced;

  1. Patrick Doyle, (Knocknagree)
  2. Seán Brady, (Ballygarvan)
  3. Daniel O’Mahony, (Knocknagree)
  4. Jacob O’Driscoll, (Valley Rovers)
  5. Brian O’Driscoll, (Carrigaline)
  6. Rory Maguire, (Castlehaven)
  7. Luke Fahy, (Ballincollig)
  8. Colm O’Callaghan, (Éire Óg)
  9. Seán Walsh, (Mitchelstown)
  10. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)
  11. Seán McDonnell, (Mallow)
  12. Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven)
  13. Mark Cronin, (Nemo Rangers)
  14. Chris Óg Jones, (Uíbh Laoire)
  15. Steven Sherlock, (St Finbarr’s)
  16. Micheál Aodh Martin, (Nemo Rangers)
  17. Maurice Shanley, (Clonakilty)
  18. Seán Meehan, (Kiskeam),
  19. Matthew Taylor, (Mallow)
  20. Michael McSweeney, (Knocknagree)
  21. Paul Walsh, (Kanturk)
  22. Dara Sheedy, (Bantry Blues)
  23. Brian Hurley, (Castlehaven)
  24. Conor Daly, (Clonakilty)
  25. Tommy Walsh, (Kanturk)

 

Mascots Return for the 2026 Season

Mascots Return for the 2026 Season

We’re delighted to confirm that our matchday mascots – a huge hit with supporters in recent seasons – will return for our 2026 home league games at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The mascots added great colour, excitement and atmosphere to matchdays in 2024 and 2025, and we’re looking forward to welcoming a new group of young Cork supporters to be part of the experience in 2026.

As part of this, we are launching our first mascot competition of the season, giving children the opportunity to walk out with the teams and experience matchday from pitchside.

Mascot Competition Details

Six children will be selected to act as team mascots at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, 25 January.
The competition is open to children aged 8–10 years.

Entry details are available exclusively via the official Cork GAA Instagram page.

  • Competition goes live: Thursday 15 January at 6pm
  • Winners will be contacted: 20 January 2026
  • T&Cs apply

Supporters are encouraged to follow @officialcorkgaa and @sportsdirectireland on Instagram for full competition details and updates.

Cork Senior Hurling Captain & Vice Captain Announcement:

Cork GAA is pleased to announce that Darragh Fitzgibbon of Charleville has been appointed as captain of the Cork senior hurling team for the new season. The role of vice-captain will be filled by Mark Coleman of Blarney. Congratulations to Darragh and Mark, and we wish them, the Cork panel, and the management team all the best for the new season.

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.”