Cork's snakes and ladders: Erin's Own's 38-year senior stint or Newtownshandrum's 29-year about to end

The final group games in any round robin GAA championship will produce quirks of fate and moments of outrageous misfortune. 2025 has been no different

SURROUNDED: Newcestown's Seán O'Donovan looks for a way out of a Newtownshandrum ambush, featuring Cormac O'Brien, Tom McCarthy and Mattie Ryan in their Co-Op Superstores Premier SHC clash in Blarney. Pic: Dan Linehan

A VIRTUALLY complete dearth of suspense heading into the final round of Cork's Premier SHC group games made for little by way of surprise in the make-up of the knockout phase. Arguably the one turn-up was Blackrock and their score difference coming from way, way back the field to pip Sarsfields at the line for direct progression to the semis.

Sars began Sunday afternoon with a +32 score difference, whereas Blackrock’s read +16. One twice the size of the other. Nobody saw that difference being made up in 60 minutes of hurling.