Cork v Clare: No holding back for Rebels as Ben O'Connor eyes another win

Cork and the Banner will face off in what's effectively a Munster semi-final on Sunday.

Sat, 23 May, 2026 - 06:56

Eoghan Cormican

There were a great many permutations last weekend that would have progressed Cork to the Munster final with a round to spare.

Ben O’Connor’s side could have done with one of them working out. His side could have done with a weekend off.

Cork, as the many injury headlines of late would have you know, are in a forced state of remodelling at present. Temporary remodelling, mind, but remodelling nonetheless. The sort of in-season disruption and consequent restructuring that can attach an unwelcome vulnerability to the collective.

Their makeshift full-back has already been forced to depart until 2027; their first-choice centre-back is coming back in off a month sidelined; their most consistent middle-third operator of the past three years is ruled out for at least the next month; one young half-forward is still getting himself back up to championship sharpness; one younger again half-forward has had a busy last two months, while the bench is without another half-forward who had been showing glimpses of his old self.

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Considering all of the above and considering also that Cork answered the questions put to them across the opening three rounds, not to mind the many more difficult questions yet to be fired at them next month and beyond, Ben’s side could have done with a weekend absent of any sort of jeopardy.

Surely their three consecutive wins entitled them to such a momentary pause from the constant chasing of points and constant requirement to prove themselves.

The permutations didn’t work out in their favour. There is no weekend off. Clare’s winning margin over Tipp was by such size that they’re within striking distance of their Sunday hosts. A Clare win by four at Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Cork’s current points total of six shall only be good enough for third.

Ben O’Connor, and we can only take him at his word, is “delighted” there is no weekend off. He’s “delighted” his unbeaten team is still within catching distance of another. This is the environment he wants his remodelled line-up exposed to.

“This weekend is not knockout, but it's still a Munster semi-final,” the Cork manager began.

“We have fellas coming into the team this weekend that are replacing injured fellas, so they're not going to be holding back, and none of the other lads will be holding back.

“Big crowd in again on Sunday, so fellas will want to impress in front of the big home crowd. And there is a big prize at stake; Limerick, in a Munster final.

“What I would say is that it’s strange that to be guaranteed a Munster final we have to win all our four games, but delighted with the way it is after turning out.

“Clare had their little bit of a blip against Limerick, but they got back on track the last day, and they’re coming down full of confidence. We are unbeaten and we want to keep that going.”

An all-encompassing view is taken to Cork’s three games to date. The work-rate, composure, and response to difficult situations has been most encouraging. Cork have been scoring well in unglamorous departments not typically associated with this group.

So, where could they be scoring better?

“I suppose if you were to be really critical, we have had a few goal chances that we have not taken,” O’Connor said of raising three championship green flags from 12 openings.

“The main thing is we are getting them. The next thing is to take them if we get them on Sunday.

“But as I said below in Waterford, if we don’t get any goal but score enough points to win the game, I’m happy with that. Obviously, we’d like to be getting another couple of goals on the scoresheet. They’ll come at some stage.”

That there has been only fleeting fluidity to their play across the three games is not a concern. Cork, under Ben, are not going out to entertain. Complimentary labels they do not care for. Results are the only praise they seek.

“It is hard work to win a Munster championship match. Look, we've won three of them so far, so we can’t be too critical. If we win on Sunday in a low-scoring and cagey game, we’ll be happy enough with that, so long as we are winning.”