Antrim–Cork hurling rivalry

The Antrim-Cork rivalry is a hurling rivalry between Irish county teams Antrim and Cork, who first played each other in 1906. The fixture has been an irregular one due to both teams playing in separate provinces. Antrim's home ground is Casement Park and Cork's home ground is Páirc Uí Chaoimh, however, all of their championship meetings have been held at a neutral venue, usually Croke Park.

Antrim-Cork
LocationCounty Antrim
County Cork
Teams Antrim
Cork
First meeting6 May 1906
Cork 8-11 - 2-3 Antrim
1904 All-Ireland semi-final
Latest meeting11 June 2022
Cork 3-27 - 2-19 Antrim
2022 All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals
Next meetingTBA
Statistics
Meetings total9
Top scorer Seán Condon (3-8)
All-time seriesCork 9-0 Antrim
Largest victory5 September 1943
Cork 5-16 - 0-4 Antrim
1943 All-Ireland final

While Cork are regarded as one of the "big three" of hurling, with Tipperary and Kilkenny completing the trio, Antrim have never claimed the All-Ireland title following just two appearances in the final.

As of 2014 Antrim and Cork have met eight times in the hurling championship with Cork emerging successful on all eight occasions.

History

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1943: All-Ireland final meeting

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After two shock victories over Galway and Kilkenny, Antrim made history by becoming the first Ulster representatives to line out in an All-Ireland final against Cork on 5 September 1943. The harsh economic realities of the Emergency were recognised before the throw-in as team captains Mick Kennefick and Jimmy Walsh made an exchange of tea and butter. But that was as good as it got for Antrim, as they froze on a day when Cork caught fire. Cork led by 3-11 to 0-2 at the break and by 5-16 to 0-4 at the end. The Rebels had their second three-in-a-row.[1]

2004-2010: Cork continue to dominate

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After a fourteen-year hiatus, Antrim and Cork renewed their rivalry on 25 July 2004. Antrim manager Dinny Cahill made some strong comments in the media prior to the game in which he criticised Cork players Brian Corcoran, Niall McCarthy, Tom Kenny and Jerry O'Connor. Right from the throw-in the Cork tempo was furious. Corcoran goaled twice for Cork to give them a commanding 2-13 to 0-3 interval lead. Antrim came close to scoring a goal when a Liam Watson-struck free hit the bottom of the upright in the 60th minute at a time when Cork had extended their lead to sixteen points before eventually winning by 2-20 to 0-10.[2]

Antrim and Cork had their most recent championship clash on 25 July 2010 in an All-Ireland quarter-final. Cork’s opening eight points all came from frees, and by the 25th minute, they had moved into an 0-11 to 0-6 lead. Antrim battled bravely, however, gaps started to open up in the Antrim defence late in the half, allowing Tom Kenny and Kieran Murphy to take advantage and add points. It was in the 35th minute that Aisake Ó hAilpín slipped the ball to Niall McCarthy, and he found the net from close range. Ben O'Connor tagged on a couple of frees, and the Rebels went in at the break with a 1-16 to 0-11 lead. The Saffrons narrowed the gap after the interval through Liam Watson and Neil McManus, however, they finished with fourteen men after Watson was sent off for a second booking, and Cork finished the job with a late salvo of scores to secure a 1-25 to 0-19 victory.[3]

Statistics

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Up to date as of 2023 season

Team All-Ireland Provincial National League Total
Cork 30 54 14 98
Antrim 0 58 0 58
Combined 30 112 14 156

All-time results

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Legend

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Cork win
Antrim win

Senior

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No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 6 May 1906 Cork (1) 4-18 - 2-3 Antrim Jones's Road All-Ireland semi-final
2. 5 September 1943 Cork (2) 5-16 - 0-4 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland final
3. 3 August 1947 Cork (3) 7-10 - 0-5 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
4. 5 August 1984 Cork (4) 3-26 - 2-5 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
5. 10 August 1986 Cork (5) 7-11 - 1-24 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
6. 5 August 1990 Cork (6) 2-20 - 1-13 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
7. 25 July 2004 Cork (7) 2-26 - 0-10 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland quarter-final
8. 25 July 2010 Cork (8) 1-25 - 0-19 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland quarter-final
9. 11 June 2022 Cork (9) 3-27 - 2-19 Antrim Corrigan Park All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final

Intermediate

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No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 27 August 1967 Cork (1) 4-6 - 2-6 Antrim Cork Athletic Grounds All-Ireland semi-final
2. 31 August 1969 Cork (2) 4-16 - 4-5 Antrim Cork Athletic Grounds All-Ireland semi-final
3. 22 August 2004 Cork (3) 5-9 - 2-11 Antrim Parnell Park All-Ireland semi-final

Junior

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No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 22 September 1929 Cork (1) 3-8 - 1-1 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
2. 9 October 1938 Cork (2) 6-5 - 2-4 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland home final
3. 27 August 1950 Cork (3) 7-1 - 3-2 Antrim Cork Athletic Grounds All-Ireland semi-final
4. 28 August 1955 Cork (4) 4-9 - 3-6 Antrim Casement Park All-Ireland semi-final
5. 14 September 1958 Cork (5) 3-11 - 3-5 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
6. 20 September 1959 Antrim (1) 3-4 - 2-3 Cork Croke Park All-Ireland home final

Under-21

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No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 18 August 1968 Cork (1) 4-17 - 2-4 Antrim Páirc Mac Uílín All-Ireland semi-final
2. 9 August 1970 Cork (2) 3-10 - 1-4 Antrim Casement Park All-Ireland semi-final
3. 1 August 1982 Cork (3) 4-21 - 1-10 Antrim Páirc Tailteann All-Ireland semi-final
4. 21 August 1988 Cork (4) 4-21 - 1-3 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
5. 6 September 1998 Cork (5) 3-15 - 0-11 Antrim Parnell Park All-Ireland semi-final

Minor

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No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 29 August 1937 Cork (1) 6-3 - 0-2 Antrim MacRory Park All-Ireland semi-final
2. 20 August 1939 Cork (2) 9-8 - 1-1 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
3. 7 September 1941 Cork (3) 13-8 - 1-2 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
4. 12 August 1951 Cork (4) 10-8 - 3-1 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
5. 16 August 1964 Cork (5) 7-9 - 2-4 Antrim Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
6. 14 August 1966 Cork (6) 9-11 - 1-6 Antrim Cork Athletic Grounds All-Ireland semi-final

Top scorers

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Rank Player Team Score Total Appearances
1. Seán Condon Cork 3-8 17 1943, 1947
2. John Fenton Cork 0-12 12 1984, 1986
3. Jimmy Barry-Murphy Cork 3-2 11 1984, 1986

References

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  1. ^ Stapleton, Shane (16 November 2010). "Rising from the Ashes: Antrim of 1943". Eircom Sports Hub. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  2. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (26 July 2004). "Cork rebel against slights". Irish Times. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. ^ Duggan, Keith (26 July 2010). "Efficient Cork earn their stripes". Irish Times. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
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