JOHN Cleary is excited to see the impact Steven Sherlock will make on his Cork return in 2026.

The St Finbarr’s hot-shot sat out the 2025 inter-county season, but his return to the Rebels squad for next season adds serious firepower to the Cork attack.

Sherlock was top scorer as the Barrs retook top spot in the county premier senior championship – he racked up 6-41 over six games, averaging almost ten points per game. The Barrs scoring machine almost fired his club to Munster glory too, scoring 0-16 of their 0-20 total in the recent one-point loss to Dingle.

‘Without a doubt, it’s a big boost,’ Cork boss John Cleary says of Sherlock’s Cork return.

‘He is a class player, had a great county championship and (the Munster club final) probably topped it off.

‘We’re delighted he is back in the fold. We haven’t seen him at inter-county level under the rules.

‘We’re delighted to get back working with him, he was with us before and he did say he was taking a year out. When we had a chat a few months ago, he was thrilled and determined to get back in again.

‘Hopefully he will add a few extra scores every game, like he has been doing at club level. I’m sure he will be ear-marked by other counties, but we are delighted to have him back.’

Newcestown’s David Buckley was another forward to catch the eye in the county championship – he was the second top scorer in the Cork PSFC, hitting 0-46 in five games, averaging nine points per match for the county semi-finalists.

The hope is the Newcestown man, a former underage Cork footballer, can take that form into 2026.

Star Sport GAA columnist John Hayes said earlier this year: ‘While I have to caution that the gap between club football and the top level of inter-county is vast, Buckley has the kind of profile that Cork needs right now. The Newcestown man is a big unit – strong, direct and fiercely competitive with a right foot that resembles a cannon. He must be given multiple opportunities to show he can transfer his current form to the higher stage.’

Cork boss Cleary is also hopeful Buckley can make step up to the demands of senior inter-county, and further bolster the Cork attack.

‘He had a super county championship. Dave is a great lad to train, has a fantastic attitude and we’re delighted to have him on board,’ Cleary said.

‘Hopefully he can bring his club form into the county set-up. Sometimes it takes a bit longer for guys to translate one to the other; it’s a different ball game completely. From what we saw in the county championship he has all the attributes and hopefully he will make the step-up.’