Kieran Murphy: The Little All-Ireland is truly back, and the Barrs may shade it

FIERCE RIVALS: Shane O'Keeffe, Blackrock, up against Glenn O'Connor and Damien Cahalane, St. Finbarr's during the group stage match. Pic: Jim Coughlan

My mother Betty Murphy grew up as Betty Twomey. Her home place was Desmond Square, just off Barrack Street in Cork city, which is in the heart of St Finbarr’s territory. During the week, I met Pa Keane, the Cork hurling kitman and a diehard Barrs fan. Pa wasn’t slow in reminding me of my mother’s heritage and where my loyalties should lie on Sunday.

Like so many Cork hurling people of my generation, we grew up listening to tales of the storied rivalry between the Barrs and Blackrock, and how they dominated the championship with Glen Rovers throughout the history of the Cork championship.