Page 9 – Cork GAA

Cork ETB Announced as Title Sponsor of Rebel Óg Minor and Cork GAA U21 Championships

New three-year partnership will support the development of young players across Cork from 2026 to 2028

Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) is delighted to announce a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with Cork GAA and Rebel Óg, strengthening the organisation’s long-standing relationship with Gaelic Games throughout Cork and further supporting the development of young athletes across the county.

The partnership will see Cork ETB become title sponsor of the Rebel Óg Minor and Cork GAA U21 Club Hurling and Football Championships from 2026 to 2028, encompassing 222 teams competing across a wide range of competitions.

The sponsorship reflects Cork ETB’s commitment to empowering learners, supporting communities and promoting participation, inclusion and excellence both within and beyond the classroom.

Speaking at the announcement, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, Chair of Cork ETB said:

“Gaelic Games are woven into the fabric of communities across Cork and play a hugely important role in the lives of many of our learners, staff and families. Through this partnership with Cork GAA and Rebel Óg, we are proud to support the continued development of young people, both on and off the field.

Across our post-primary schools, we have a strong tradition of participation and success in Gaelic Games. Every day, our students benefit from the values that sport instils – teamwork, leadership, dedication, resilience and community spirit. These are values that align closely with Cork ETB’s mission and vision for education and lifelong learning.”

Chief Executive of Cork ETB Denis Leamy added:

“This partnership represents a significant investment in the young people and communities of Cork. Cork ETB is proud to support Rebel Óg’s flagship competitions, which provide important opportunities for young players to develop their talents, build confidence and strengthen their connection to their clubs, schools and communities. We look forward to working closely with Cork GAA and Rebel Óg over the coming years to promote participation, learning and achievement across the county.”

Cork ETB schools have long been recognised as strong supporters of Gaelic Games, with students, teachers and school communities actively involved in hurling, Gaelic football, ladies football & camógie at school, club and county level. The new partnership extends those connections beyond the school gates, supporting athletes and clubs in communities throughout Cork.

The Rebel Óg minor & Cork GAA U-21 championships provide vital opportunities for young players to develop their sporting skills, build confidence and represent their clubs and communities with pride. Through this sponsorship, Cork ETB will help ensure these pathways continue to flourish for future generations.

Chairman of the Cork County Board Pat Horgan said:

“We are delighted to have formed this multiyear partnership with Cork ETB who are the perfect sponsor for our U-21 and Minor competitions in hurling and football. Their educational sites across the county are a hotbed for rising talent in both codes and we are confident that this partnership will reinforce the connection of their students and stakeholders with all things GAA in Cork”.

Chairman of Rebel Óg Peter Watson continued:

“This is a fantastic boost to the continued development of underage GAA in Cork. Having Cork ETB as the headline sponsor of our flagship U-21 and Minor championship competitions in both codes aligns perfectly with Cork ETB’s values of educating and developing the young people of Cork and we are fully confident that their sponsorship of our competitions will only help to deliver greater awareness of their commitment to these objectives to their target audience and their families”.

The partnership will also create opportunities for collaboration in promoting education, training and lifelong learning opportunities throughout Cork, while showcasing the positive impact that sport and education can have when working together.

All three organisations are deeply embedded in communities across the county. Cork ETB, Cork GAA and Rebel Óg look forward to building a strong and lasting partnership that will benefit learners, players, clubs and communities for years to come.

Carbery Claim Derry Gowen Cup with Win Over Muskerry

Carbery claimed the inaugural Derry Gowen Cup with a 2-23 to 2-15 victory over Muskerry in the McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions/Colleges Premier SFC seeded final at Páirc Uí Rinn. In difficult conditions, Carbery established control with a strong opening quarter, highlighted by a series of two-point scores and an Aaron Hayes goal that helped them to a 1-13 to 1-7 interval lead.

Muskerry responded after the restart through Liam Twohig, Jack Kelleher and Ian Jones, but Carbery maintained their advantage with scores from Damien Gore, Olan Corcoran and Ruairí Deane. Deane’s second-half goal proved an important score as the West Cork side managed the closing stages effectively. The result sends Carbery into a meeting with UCC next month, with the winners progressing to the championship proper.

Seven Hurling League Champions from RedFM Leagues

The 2026 RedFM Cork County Hurling League Finals concluded over a busy weekend with seven champions decided across the county, providing an excellent finale to this year’s league campaign.

Supporters were treated to a series of competitive and entertaining finals, with several contests going right to the closing stages. Sarsfields retained their Division 1 crown for a fourth consecutive year, while Bride Rovers, Blarney, Kilworth, Cloyne, Sarsfields’ second team and Barryroe also celebrated league success.

Across the seven finals, players delivered high-quality hurling despite warm conditions, with established inter-county stars and emerging club talent all making their mark. As the focus now turns to the Co-Op Superstores Cork County Championships, the league finals provided the perfect opportunity for teams to build momentum ahead of the championship campaign.

Below is a recap of all seven RedFM Cork County Hurling League Finals from an action-packed weekend.

RedFM Division 1 Hurling League Final

Sarsfields 2-17 Midleton 2-16

Sarsfields claimed a fourth consecutive RedFM Division 1 Hurling League title after edging Midleton by a single point in a thrilling final at Carrigtwohill. Early goals from Barry O’Flynn and Killian Murphy laid the foundation for the Riverstown side, who led throughout much of the contest. Midleton mounted a late comeback, inspired by Conor Lehane’s outstanding 2-11 haul, and reduced the deficit to one with a stoppage-time goal. However, Sarsfields held firm to retain the Conroy Cup and complete another successful league campaign.

RedFM Division 2 Hurling League Final

Bride Rovers 1-21 Erin’s Own 0-14

Bride Rovers produced a commanding display to defeat Erin’s Own by ten points and capture the RedFM Division 2 Hurling League title in Lisgoold. Brian Roche was influential throughout with an excellent all-round performance, while Louie Roche’s first-half goal helped establish a comfortable lead. Strong defensive displays, led by Eoin Roche, and two crucial saves from goalkeeper Cian Hogan ensured Bride Rovers remained in control as they finished deserving winners.

RedFM Division 3 Hurling League Final

Blarney 2-19 Ballinhassig 1-21

Blarney held off a determined Ballinhassig challenge to secure the RedFM Division 3 Hurling League title by the narrowest of margins in Ballincollig. Ballinhassig made the brighter start with an early goal, but Blarney responded impressively through Padraig Power, whose 1-4 tally included a decisive second-half goal. Despite a late surge from Ballinhassig, Blarney defended resolutely to lift the John Mullins Trophy after an entertaining contest.

RedFM Division 4 Hurling League Final

Kilworth 2-25 Aghabullogue 1-19

Kilworth produced a dominant second-half performance to overcome Aghabullogue and claim the RedFM Division 4 Hurling League title in Riverstown. After trailing briefly early in the second half, Kilworth responded with an impressive scoring burst before goals from Will Condon and James Sheehan put the result beyond doubt. Strong contributions from the bench and an efficient attacking display saw the Avondhu side finish nine-point winners.

RedFM Division 5 Hurling League Final

Cloyne 2-17 Dungourney 0-22

Cloyne edged neighbours Dungourney by a single point following a dramatic finish to the RedFM Division 5 Hurling League Final in Castlemartyr. First-half goals from Brian Walsh and Conor Cahill proved crucial as Dungourney battled back to take a late lead. James O’Brien inspired Cloyne’s response, scoring three of the final four points, including vital placed balls, to secure victory in a closely fought Imokilly derby.

RedFM Division 6 Hurling League Final

Sarsfields 5-17 Aghada 2-17

Sarsfields’ second team completed a memorable week for the club by claiming the RedFM Division 6 Hurling League title with an impressive victory over Aghada in Cobh. Former Cork forward Cian McCarthy rolled back the years with a superb hat-trick and a personal tally of 3-5, while goals from Sam McNamara and Luke Hackett added to Sarsfields’ attacking dominance. After being level at half-time, the Riverstown side powered clear in the second half to complete a league double for the club.

RedFM Division 7 Hurling League Final

Barryroe 1-15 Ballinora 1-13

Barryroe finished strongly to defeat Ballinora and capture the RedFM Division 7 Hurling League title in Newcestown. The Carbery side received a major lift from their substitutes, who contributed 1-6 after the interval, including Ryan O’Donovan’s crucial goal. Ballinora briefly regained the lead through Conor Quirke’s late goal, but Barryroe responded with the final three points of the game to secure their first adult hurling silverware since 2007.

Cork Minor Football Champions Bring All-Ireland Spirit to CUH Visit

Fresh from their memorable All-Ireland Minor Football Championship success, the Cork minor football team were proud to bring their Minster and All-Ireland trophies to Cork University Hospital (CUH) as they visited patients and staff on Thursday afternoon.

Led by team manager Keith Ricken and team captain Joe Miskella, the young Rebels took time away from their celebrations to visit the Children’s Ward and the Stroke Unit, sharing some special moments and bringing the excitement of their historic achievement to the hospital community.

The visit was facilitated by Alison Harvey from the Office of the Chief Executive at CUH, who helped organise the occasion and ensured the players and management received a warm welcome. The visit highlighted the strong connection between Cork GAA and the wider community, with the players taking the opportunity to thank hospital staff for their commitment and to share some All-Ireland joy with those receiving care.

Following their outstanding All-Ireland triumph, the Cork minor footballers once again showed that being a Rebel is about more than what happens on the pitch — it is about community, respect and giving back to the people who support them.

McCarthy Insurance Group Colleges/Divisions Confined Football Championship Round-Up

The McCarthy Insurance Group Colleges/Divisions Confined Football Championship has progressed through both the unseeded and seeded sections, with Carbery claiming the Derry Gowen Cup and advancing directly to the County Championship Preliminary Q-final and a meeting with UCC.

Avondhu topped the unseeded section with three consecutive victories. They opened with a 3-17 to 3-14 win over Seandún before defeating Beara 3-5 to 1-7 in Round 2. They completed the section with a 1-16 to 1-6 victory over Imokilly.

In the Seeded Section, Muskerry defeated Avondhu 3-17 to 3-12 in the Derry Gowen Cup semi-final. Carbery secured the second final berth after overcoming Duhallow 3-18 to 1-23.

Carbery won the Derry Gowen Cup Final, defeating Muskerry 2-23 to 2-15.

The remaining place in the knockout stages will be decided in the Preliminary Quarter-Final, where Carbery face UCC.