Cork town is red hot for All-Ireland final

When it comes to painting the town red, Kanturk is really putting it up to the rest of Cork county to show their colours for Jimmy Barry Murphy’s men ahead of their All Ireland clash with Clare.

Nearly every shop, bar and restaurant in the north Cork town has flags, posters, jerseys and pictures of some team members emblazoned on their premises.

Pic; Pictured are Cork Supporters, Niall O'Keeffe, Kanturk Chamber, Sarah O'Flaherty, Lismire and Michael Duggan, in Kanturk, Co. Cork.

The GAA and the local chamber of commerce have come together to spearhead the feel good factor. Yesterday, it seemed like half the population was attired in Cork colours.

On Sunday, many will make the trek to Croke Park while the remainder are expected to pack the pubs to watch the biggest Duhallow contingent ever to don the red jersey in an All Ireland Hurling final.

Kanturk will be represented by goalkeeper Anthony Nash and midfielder Lorcan McLoughlin. William Egan at wing back comes from the nearby village of Kilbrin and panellist Mark Ellis lives in Millstreet.

Pic; Pictured are Cork Supporters, Brian Healy, Alan Walsh, Tommy Walsh, Brian Healy, Colin Walsh and Ronan Harrington, all from Kanturk, in Kanturk, Co. Cork.

With tickets like gold dust, over 1,000 locals will be crossing their fingers their names will get drawn out of the hat for two tickets to the final and an overnight stay at the Croke Park Hotel.

A similar draw is taking place in Kilbrin where Michael Duggan, is hoping he’ll get lucky — otherwise, he’s looking at heading to Dublin in hope. “I’ll go up anyway. You’ll always find a genuine fan who’ll give you one. I won’t get them off touts.”

Pic; Pictured in the Central Shoe Store decorated window supporting the Cork Hurlers, are brothers Kayden and Bailey O'Driscoll, from Kanturk, in Kanturk, Co. Cork.

Denis O’Callaghan will only get to see it on TV as he’ll be on duty in The Stand Bar. “I’d say we’ll have a full house for it and if Cork win, there’ll be a free celebratory drink for everyone.”

Cheers to that...