Having been such a dominant hurling force in both the Munster and All-Ireland Championships for so long, the Cork hurlers have had to endure seven trophy-less years, and midfielder Pa Cronin admits that wait is too long.

First there was Sully, the Rock, the one and only Diarmuid O’Sullivan, a powerful and imposing presence protecting club-mate Donal Óg Cusack and the Cork red-zone for over a decade. Now there’s Paudie, another O’Sullivan, youngest brother in the formidable hurling family from Cloyne.

SO many pre-match player interviews these days are all about the banal, the predictable, the oh-so-stale. Oh so refreshing then to speak to Sars’ captain Alan Kennedy in advance of tomorrow’s Cork county senior hurling final against Glen Rovers.

RONAN O’GARA counts his blessings every day, not least because he has stayed fairly injury-free in eight years playing professional rugby.