Cork's Mark Coleman happy to take on penalty burden

9 June 2026; Isobelle O'Sullivan, Kristen McCarthy, left, and Tess Byrne, right, all pupils at Scoil Chroí Íosa, Blarney, during an interview session with Mark Coleman of Cork in advance of the launch of the 2026 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship at Blarney GAA Club and Blarney Castle in Cork. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Cork’s green flag chart has been far less busy than previous summers. Their round-robin total of four was the county’s lowest ever since the inception of the current format. 

Even when adding in the two Munster final majors, the overall picture of six green flags fails to overtake any of the six provincial campaigns that preceded the edition not long concluded.

The chart can be quiet and still carry intrigue. Just because there’s a reduced number of names and entries doesn’t mean there is nothing to see.

There’s currently a tie at the top of the chart. Two players have raised two green flags apiece.

The identity of one of those being Brian Hayes is about as unsurprising as a Cork hurling fixture selling out. The identity of his fellow chart-topper is where the interest lies.

When Hayes was fouled in second-half injury-time at the end of last year’s All-Ireland final horror, and with Patrick Horgan removed from the action, Mark Coleman reckoned he’d be the one to step forward and strike the penalty. 

He was ready to head up from wing-back and all.

Substitute Conor Lehane ended up taking responsibility. And given Lehane had been successful in the Munster final shootout, Coleman was content to leave him at it.

Fast forward to the 61st minute of last month’s Munster round-robin spin to Walsh Park. 

Alan Connolly had won Cork their second penalty of the game. Connolly had seen his first-half penalty saved by Billy Nolan, the same as he was unsuccessful at Nowlan Park during the league.

There was no instruction by management for Coleman to travel up the Walsh Park field and strike their second penalty of the evening. 

As the half-back recalls it, Shane Barrett shouted back to him and there began his time as Cork’s go-to penalty person.

So far, so perfect. Two from two. Both penalties posted into the bottom left corner. Hurling’s two most in-form goalkeepers - Billy Nolan and Nickie Quaid - beaten in the process.

“It was a long time coming, so I was glad to get off the mark,” Coleman quips of getting his name onto any green flag chart 11 seasons into his red existence.

“I’d be confident enough hitting penalties. It's not like I haven't done it before. I'd say I've taken four or five for Blarney over the years. If I was on the field for the Munster final last year, I probably would have taken one.

“When it comes to penalties, it's pretty straightforward. You pick your side and hit it as hard as you can. If you hit it sweet enough, it takes a good save to keep it out. You try not to over-complicate it or look too much at the goalie.” 

Eighteen minutes into the second half of the Munster final, the No.7-wearing Coleman very nearly assumed outright pole position in Cork’s green flag chart. 

Denying him his second of the provincial decider and third of the championship was the brilliance of Quaid.

“To be honest, I wasn't doing too much thinking when hitting the shot. I wouldn't be used to being up there, so I just hit it and hoped for the best. It was a brilliant save, the same with the Diarmuid Healy one. That was probably better, and on his weaker side.

“He's a top-class goalie, one of the best that has played the game. He's always going to make those saves.

“I reckon that was my first shot on goal from play for Cork. I haven't been in those situations too often. You might be in those situations with the club, so it's nearly your instinct. You nearly feel when you've broken the line that the goal is on. It was probably in my mind to go for it as soon as I got the pass.” 

Limerick and Munster final lamentations parked for now, Offaly have their focus. A first All-Ireland quarter-final appearance for the Faithful in 23 years.

Johnny Kelly’s charges took points off Dublin, Kilkenny, and Wexford in the Leinster round-robin. 

They haven’t survived to the last six of the championship by chance or good fortune. And so, must Cork be mindful of not having done to them what Dublin did to Limerick at this very stage 12 months ago?

“I suppose it's different circumstances,” Coleman continued. “That Munster final went to extra-time and penalties. Limerick were going for seven-in-a-row and all that, so there was probably a massive amount of emotional stuff on last year's Munster final. This year is probably a bit different.

“Offaly, they're getting better and better every year. They took a few big scalps this year in terms of beating Wexford, drawing with Dublin and Kilkenny, and they're all quality teams. They've properly arrived at the top level, there's no doubt about that. We just have to make sure that we're ready for them.”

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