MATTHEW HURLEY shares his thoughts on Cork’s six Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1A games

A NEW era begins for Cork hurling in the familiar surroundings of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. After three years at the helm, Pat Ryan has stepped aside, handing the reins to Ben O’Connor, a man now tasked with steering the Rebels into the next chapter.

The national league doesn’t always define a season, but for a new management team laying down early markers, momentum matters. How Cork look, how they play, and how they respond under O’Connor will all be under the spotlight in the weeks ahead.

Cork begin as reigning Division 1A champions, having ended the county’s 27-year wait for a hurling league title, and with Waterford first up on home soil, O’Connor will hope to kick off this new era with a statement win.

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MATCH 1: Cork v Waterford

Sunday, 3.45pm, Páirc Uí Chaoimh

The first competitive outing of the Ben O’Connor era sees Cork welcome Waterford to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Rebels won last season’s Munster championship clash between the sides (2-25 to 1-22) but will still be wary of the threat posed by the Déise. Peter Queally is entering his second year in charge, and with the likes of Stephen Bennett, Jamie Barron and Padraig Fitzgerald, Waterford have plenty of firepower. This is a chance for O’Connor to get his tenure off to a positive start.

MATCH 2: Galway v Cork

Saturday, January 31st, 7pm, Pearse Stadium

Galway are in their second season under Micheál Donoghue following a mixed 2025 campaign. Strong championship performances against Dublin and Wexford were offset by disappointing displays against Kilkenny and Tipperary. Cork won the most recent meeting between the sides, last March in the league (4-22 to 0-22). This marks Cork’s first away trip of the O’Connor era, and another solid showing would help build early confidence.

MATCH 3: Cork v Tipperary

Saturday, February 7th, 7.30pm, Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Of all the fixtures listed, this is arguably the one Cork have circled. Context matters, and this meeting comes loaded with it. After losing last July’s All-Ireland final by 3-27 to 1-18 – managing just 0-2 in the second half compared to Tipp’s 3-14 – Cork supporters will be looking for a response. Tipperary arrive on a high, having lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2019, and confidence is growing in the Premier County. If Cork can quell that momentum, it would be a significant statement.

MATCH 4: Kilkenny v Cork

Sunday, March 1st, 3.15pm, UPMC Nowlan Park

After a three-week break, the Rebels return to action away to Kilkenny in a clash between two counties desperate to end their Liam MacCarthy droughts in 2026. Kilkenny’s wait stands at 11 years, while Cork’s stretches to 21 – long spells by either county’s standards. TJ Reid is expected to return after his break from action, though the Cats will be without Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan in 2026, both significant losses.

MATCH 5: Limerick v Cork

Saturday, March 7th, 7pm, TUS Gaelic Grounds

This was widely tipped as the likely All-Ireland final pairing for 2025, until Dublin shocked Limerick in the quarter-final. Make no mistake, the Treaty County will be determined to reassert their dominance. They still retain the core of the side that won five All-Ireland titles between 2018 and 2023, though Séamus Flanagan and Shane Dowling will not feature in the new campaign. With championship looming, a Cork win here would lay down a serious marker.

MATCH 6: Cork v Offaly

Saturday, March 21st, 7pm, Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Newly promoted Offaly arrive with a point to prove and plenty of exciting talent. Adam Screeney, Dan Ravenhill, Brian Duignan and Killian Sampson are all players Cork will need to keep an eye on. This final league fixture could be a dead rubber depending on results elsewhere, but Ben O’Connor will be keen to finish strongly, especially with the Munster championship just around the corner.