Since 2006-7, 18 Munster colleges ‘A’ level hurling trophies have been on offer: Cork are bottom of the list with one

Were Cork schools always strong in Munster colleges competitions? How accurate is this perception?

Let’s see. Since 1980 Cork schools have won 15 of the 33 Harty Cups on offer and 16 Dean Ryans, the U16½A competition, almost 50%, a very high win ratio.

But the cupboard is almost bare for the past ten years. The last Harty won by a Cork school was in 2006 by Midleton CBS; their previous victory was in 1995, and the North Monastery’s last was in 1994.