Early years

During its beginning, Cork had been one of the few teams that was interested in fielding a hurling team in the very first All-Ireland championship in 1887;^{[citation needed][1]} however, a dispute over which team should represent the county led to Cork not taking part at all. The county entered a team in 1888 and went on to win their first All-Ireland title in 1890 when Aughabullogue beat Castlebridge of Wexford.

In the early years of the competition, the various county champions represented their county in the All-Ireland series. However, this changed in 1892 when Cork contested, and won their second All-Ireland final with a team consisting of players from multiple clubs in the county. Further All-Ireland titles in 1893 and 1894 meant Cork became the first team to win a three-in-row. This record would stand until it was later equaled by Kilkenny and Tipperary. Between 1901 and 1905 Cork appeared in five successive All-Ireland finals; however, victory only came in the form of a two-in-a-row in 1902 and 1903. Following this, Cork's hurlers waited sixteen years before their next All-Ireland win in 1919. A further five All-Ireland finals were contested by Cork between 1926 and 1931 with victory coming on four occasions.

1940s

The Cork team of the 1940s is regarded as one of the two greatest teams of all time.^{[original research?]} They are one of only three teams to win four All-Ireland hurling titles in-a-row the Kilkenny team of 2006 to 2009) and the great Limerick team of 2020 to 2023. Many of the team's detractors,^[who?] however, have questioned the worth of these championship victories as Cork lost the 1941 Munster championship and overcame a Dublin team, and an Antrim team who only got into the final because Kilkenny and Tipperary could not play due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.^{[citation needed][2]} However, the Cork team was defeated in two All-Ireland finals, those of 1939 and 1947. The former has come to be known as the "thunder and lightning final".^{[citation needed]} On the day before World War II broke out, Cork faced a Kilkenny side who were playing in their fourth final in five years. The game saw both sides remaining level for much of the game. Just as the game reached its climax, a crack of thunder interrupted the play and the rain bucketed down. Kilkenny emerged victorious by a single point.^{[citation needed]}

In 1941, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the midlands forced Tipperary and Kilkenny to withdraw from the competition. As a result, Cork faced Limerick in the Munster final, and defeated them, before beating Dublin in the All-Ireland decider for one of the handiest championships ever won.^{[citation needed]} Following the All-Ireland final, Cork played Tipperary in the delayed Munster final and lost, thus becoming the very first All-Ireland champions but provincial runners-up. For these reasons, Cork's first win of four in-a-row is often dismissed by their opponents.^{[citation needed]}

In 1942 Cork defeated Tipperary in the Munster final and silenced their critics,^{[citation needed]} before going on to claim their second consecutive All-Ireland title by again defeating Dublinn. In 1943, Cork were repeat Munster champions and qualified for the All-Ireland final, where their opponents were expected to be Kilkenny. Kilkenny, however, were defeated by Antrim, a junior team, in the All-Ireland semi-final. Cork went on to record a victory over Antrim in the final and claim a third consecutive All-Ireland victory. In 1944, Cork repeated as Munster champions, defeating Mick Mackey's Limerick side in the decider. They defeated Galway before beating their old enemy Dublin in the final. Cork set a record of four All-Ireland titles in-a-row that has never been equalled.^{[citation needed]}

Five All-Ireland titles in-a-row was beyond this Cork team,^[tone] as they were defeated in the 1945 Munster final. They returned in 1946, however, winning back their Munster crown and defeating Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Cork player Christy Ring, at the age of 25, collected his fifth All-Ireland winners medal. In 1947, Cork were playing in their sixth All-Ireland final of the decade. In what has been described as the greatest All-Ireland Hurling Final of all-time,^{[by whom?]} Cork were defeated by a single point. This defeat brought an end to the run of success of the Cork team of the 1940s.

1950s

Between 1949 and 1951 Cork had met Tipperary every year in the Munster final. Each year, Tipperary had won and went on to claim the All-Ireland title. By 1952, Cork had an extra motivating factor because they realised that if Tipperary beat them again, they would almost certainly win a fourth consecutive All-Ireland title and equal the record set by Cork in the 1940s. At the start of the 1952 championship, Tipperary was favored to retain their All-Ireland crown. It looked like the same old story in the Munster final as Cork conceded a goal after just three minutes of play. A goal for Cork from Mossie O'Riordan was the turning point of the match, however, and Cork ended Tipp's hopes of four in-a-row with a scoreline of 1–11 to 2–7. Christy Ring, who had again proved instrumental in the victory, was shouldered off the field with blood streaming down his face and a bandage around his head. Cork went on to narrowly defeat Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final before hammering Dublin in the final.

In 1953 Cork set out to defend their title. They defeated their old rivals Tipperary in the Munster final and set up a meeting with Galway in the All-Ireland decider. Galway believed that the physical route was the best way to upset Cork and it did. In a low scoring game Cork won by a single point; however, the battle didn't stop at Croke Park. Later that night some of the Galway players arrived at the Gresham Hotel where Cork were staying. A fight broke, with Christy Ring getting a punch in the face and falling down some steps. The melee ended just as quick as it had begun. In 1954 Cork were the favourites to complete another three in-a-row. They defeated Tipp again in the Munster final, before storming past Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. The Corkmen then advanced to play Wexford in one of the most eagerly anticipated All-Ireland finals ever. Wexford were hotly tipped to spoil Cork's quest for another treble, however, on the day Cork's defence were on top form. They won on a scoreline of 1–9 to 1–6, with Christy Ring becoming the first player to win eight All-Ireland medals.

In 1955 Cork were beaten by Clare in the opening round of the Munster championship, however, they returned for one final swansong in 1956. They regained their Munster crown, courtesy of a hat-trick by Christy Ring, and set up another All-Ireland final showdown with Wexford. It was another classic encounter but sides at their peak. The turing point of the game came when Wexford were two points up. Their goalkeeper, Art Foley, saved a great shot by Christy Ring and cleared the ball. Within seconds Nicky Rackard scored a goal to win the game for Wexford. The final score was 2–14 to 2–8. Ring had been denied his ninth All-Ireland medal. In a show of solidarity Bobby Rackard and Nick O'Donnell of Wexford shouldered Ring off the field. It would be Cork's last All-Ireland final appearance for ten years.

Another three-in-a-row

In 1966 Cork came from nowhere to win their first Munster title in a decade and advanced to an All-Ireland final decider against Kilkenny. None of the Cork team had ever played in Croke Park before, however, for Kilkenny it was like their home stadium. There was even speculation that Christy Ring, the age of 45, was about to come out of retirement to play for Cork, however, this didn't happen. While Kilkenny were the favourites Gerald McCarthy captained one of the youngest Cork teams ever to victory. Kilkenny had their revenge over Cork in 1969, however, in 1970 Cork captured the Liam MacCarthy Cup with a massive win over Wexford.

The 1970s was to be a glorious decade for Cork's hurlers. In 1975 Cork won their first Munster title since 1972. It was to be the first of five Munster Championship victories in-a-row. An All-Ireland semi-final loss to Galway raised certain doubts over Cork's ability. They silenced their critics in 1976 when Cork faced Wexford in the All-Ireland final. After 8 minutes Cork were in severe trouble, having conceded two goals and two points. It looked as if the game was going to be a repeat of the 1956 final, however, Cork fought back to win what has been referred to as Pat Moylan's All-Ireland final.

In 1977 Cork were back in the All-Ireland final taking on Wexford for the second consecutive year. The game didn't start as quickly as the previous year, however, it was no less as exciting. Cork's captain, Martin O'Doherty, and the team's goalkeeper, Martin Coleman, were the heroes of the day, as Cork won on a scoreline of 1–17 to 3–8. The three-in-a-row was the major talking-point yet again and Cork didn't disappoint, returning to the All-Ireland final. This time their opponents were Kilkenny. They gave Cork a fright when they scored an early goal, however, an opportunistic goal by Cork's Jimmy Barry-Murphy sealed victory for the Leesiders. Sporting history was made. The possibility of completing a famous four-in-a-row looked extremely likely in 1979 when Cork captured their fifth Munster title. A defeat at the All-Ireland semi-final stage by Galway ended Cork's run of success, and brought an end to the careers of many of their most famous players.

1980s

Cork reclaimed their Munster Championship crown in 1982. It was the first of five Munster titles in-a-row. They reached the All-Ireland final that year but were defeated by Kilkenny. In 1983 Cork were defeated by "the cats" for the second consecutive year. 1984 was a special year for Gaelic games as it was the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Having lost the previous two All-Ireland finals, Cork were even hungrier for success in 1984. The plan nearly came undone in the Munster final when Tipperary were up by four points with four minutes to go. One goal each from Seánie O'Leary and Tony O'Sullivan sealed victory for "the Rebels" and they advanced to an easy win over Offaly in the All-Ireland final at Semple Stadium.

In 1986 Cork were back in the All-Ireland final, this time facing favourites Galway. Cork scored four goals on that day and, in spite of a late goal by Galway's P.J. Molloy, Cork won the day on a scoreline of 4–13 to 2–15.

1990s

Four years later in 1990 Cork were again Munster champions before taking part in another final against Galway. Cork returned as the underdogs coming into the final. In one of the most high-scoring finals in years Cork re-emerged victorious with a scoreline of 5–15 to 2-21. The 1990s which started so well were to prove difficult for the Cork hurlers. After losing to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final in 1992 it would take until 1999 for Cork to re-emerge as Munster and All-Ireland champions. Jimmy Barry-Murphy, coached the youngest Cork team ever to another All-Ireland victory.^{[citation needed]}

1999-present

While it was expected that the team would build on the success of 1999 the exact opposite happened.^{[original research?]} After a defeat to Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2000 the team went into terminal decline.^{[citation needed]} In 2002 the entire senior hurling panel took the unprecedented move of going on strike. The players, who had been seeking better conditions, refused to play or train with the county again until the dispute with the county board was resolved. The players demands included having their own doctor at all Championship, League, resolving disputes over travel arrangements and providing players with free gymnasium access. The strike was eventually resolved and all the demands were met, but not before the Cork footballers also went on strike in sympathy.

Following the strike the Cork hurlers came back stronger than ever,^{[original research?]} winning three out of the next four Munster championships. Cork reached four consecutive All-Ireland finals with victories coming in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Cork attempted to capture an elusive three-in-a-row, however, they were defeated by Kilkenny.

The Cork senior footballers and hurlers withdrew their services for almost 100 days from November 2007 until February 2008, during a players' strike.

Notable players

Records

• First outfield hurler to wear a helmet in an inter-county game: Donal Clifford in the 1969 National Hurling League semi-final.^[7]

All Stars

Cork has 109 All Stars, as of 2019.

• 1971 (2), 1972 (5), 1974 (2), 1975 (1), 1976 (5), 1977 (8), 1978 (6), 1979 (3), 1980 (2), 1981 (1), 1982 (3), 1983 (3), 1984 (6), 1985 (2), 1986 (7), 1987 (1), 1988 (1), 1990 (6), 1991 (3), 1992 (3), 1993 (2), 1999 (6), 2000 (2), 2003 (3), 2004 (7), 2005 (6), 2006 (2), 2008 (1), 2012 (1), 2013 (3), 2017 (2), 2018 (3), 2019 (1)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

Hurler of the Year winners

• Christy Ring - 1959
• Justin McCarthy - 1966
• Pat McDonnell - 1970
• Denis Coughlan - 1977
• John Horgan - 1978
• John Fenton - 1984
• Ger Cunningham - 1986
• Tony O'Sullivan - 1990
• Brian Corcoran - 1992, 1999
• Seán Óg Ó hAilpín - 2004
• Jerry O'Connor - 2005

Kit evolution

Cork launched a new jersey ahead of the 2019 season, featuring a different sleeve and without white stripes down the side.^[8]

Cork launched a new jersey ahead of the 2021 season.^[9]

Cork launched a new jersey ahead of the 2023 season, with a noticeably whiter sleeve.^[10]

Team sponsorship

Cork was sponsored by O2 for 15 years. This arrangement ended on 31 December 2012.^[11] In 2013, Chill Insurance announced it would sponsor Cork in a three-year deal.^[12] Chill Insurance remained as sponsor for eight years until the end of 2020. Cork admitted in early 2021 that it had concluded a five-year deal with Sports Direct in December 2020, following public reports ahead of the intended launch.^[13][14][15] Following publication, it was subsequently confirmed that all negotiations were held with Sports Direct's Dublin-based marketing division, with no involvement from the British part of the company or from Mike Ashley, the billionaire owner of an English association football club with links to the company.^[16]

Head-to-head record

Every Munster and All-Ireland SHC result since 2007.

As of 27 June 2022

More information County, Pld ...

County	Pld	W	D	L	Win %	First Meeting	Last Meeting	Province
Antrim	2	2	0	0	100%	2010	2022	Ulster
Clare	12	9	0	3	75%	2007	2022	Munster
Dublin	6	6	0	0	100%	2007	2021	Leinster
Galway	6	1	0	5	17%	2008	2022	Connacht
Kilkenny	5	2	0	3	40%	2008	2021	Leinster
Laois	1	1	0	0	100%	2011	2011	Leinster
Limerick	9	3	1	5	33%	2010	2022	Munster
Offaly	4	4	0	0	100%	2007	2012	Leinster
Tipperary	13	3	1	9	23%	2007	2022	Munster
Waterford	13	6	1	6	46%	2007	2022	Munster
Westmeath	1	1	0	0	100%	2019	2019	Leinster
Wexford	3	2	0	1	67%	2012	2016	Leinster

Close

Season-by-season record

National

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
  • Winners (30): 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1902, 1903, 1919, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1966, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1999, 2004, 2005
  • Runners-up (20): 1901, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1915, 1920, 1927, 1939, 1947, 1956, 1969, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1992, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2021
• National Hurling League
  • Winners (14): 1925–26, 1929–30, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1992–93, 1998
  • Runners-up (9): 1928–29, 1948–49, 1959–60, 1961–62, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2022
• All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
  • Winners (9): 1965, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2014,^[17] 2018
  • Runners-up (5): 1967, 1969, 2010, 2015, 2017
• All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship
  • Winners (11): 1912, 1916, 1925, 1940, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1983, 1987, 1994
  • Runners-up (4): 1923, 1929, 1938, 1992
• All-Ireland Under-21/Under-20 Hurling Championship
  • Winners (13): 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1997, 1998, 2020, 2021
  • Runners-up (4): 1975, 1977, 2018, 2019
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
  • Winners (19): 1928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2021
  • Runners-up (12): 1936, 1966, 1968, 1975, 1977, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2007, 2017
• All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship
  • Winners (9): 1970 (Cork County), 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Provincial

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship
  • Winners (54): 1888, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2018
  • Runners-up (30): 1896, 1897, 1898, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1913, 1914, 1916, 1921, 1932, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 2004, 2010, 2013
• Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship
  • Winners (15): 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014,^[18] 2015^[19]
  • Runners-up (6): 1961, 1962, 1968, 1970, 2000, 2013
• Munster Junior Hurling Championship
  • Winners (21): 1912, 1916, 1923, 1925, 1929, 1932, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1996
• Munster Under-21/Under-20 Hurling Championship
  • Winners (21): 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2018, 2020, 2021
  • Runners-up (13): 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship
  • Winners (34): 1928, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2021
  • Runners-up (12): 1930, 1933, 1935, 1946, 1961, 1962, 1987, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007

Other

• Centenary Cup
  • Winners (1): 1984