Pictures: Rebel roar as Cork gets ready for All-Ireland final

Cork’s hurlers will look to end 19 years of hurt and bring Liam McCarthy home tomorrow with the entire county going red and white in the hope of a historic win.

The business community of Cork has been busy decorating shop fronts ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final. 

Flags are flying proudly and bunting is hanging from window displays across the city and county as Cork gears up for its clash against Clare in Croke Park.

Owner of Paddy the Farmers and Tequila Jack’s, Seán McCarthy, who played for Cork back in 1990, said the atmosphere around the city is one never seen before match day.

“We haven’t been there since 2021, and we were just coming out of covid then,” he said. 

“It’s 2005 since we won an All-Ireland, and for me, I have never seen such an uplift and such a feel-good factor around the city centre.

“It is brilliant to see young kids, adults, grandparents buying into the of the Cork hurling team. I think people are just craving for something good, something positive, and something that is going to give a lift to people.

'THE RIGHT TONIC'

“It’s been tough in business, it’s been tough for everyone, and this is just the right tonic now for us here in Cork.”

Speaking about what it means for Cork to be in an All-Ireland final, he said: “I was on the double hurling team in 1990 but I started with the Cork team in ‘86. I’ve gone to these matches with my daughter Orlaith who is now 24 and she was just mesmorised with the win in the Páirc against Limerick. We stood there for half an hour after the game just watching the euphoria, the happiness, and the joy it brought to people.

“She had never seen anything like this before and I was explaining to her that this was us in the ‘90s, ‘80s and ‘70s when Cork were contesting hurling and football All-Irelands three or four times every decade whereas now we haven’t won a hurling final since 2005 and football since 2010 so we’re starved of success and we’re craving it.

“My daughter went travelling for 12 to 13 weeks in Thailand and she has cut her holiday short and is flying out of Vietnam on Saturday night and being collected from Dublin Airport on Sunday morning. She made a promise to herself because she was too young to the last All-Ireland and she said ‘dad, if Cork are in the All-Ireland, I’m coming home’.” 

“That’s what it means to people and she is one of thousands that I’ve heard of who are travelling back from America, from Europe, the UK, and from the Far East.” 

Nolans’ Butchers on Shandon Street attracted attention this week for its window display of bunting and photographs of All-Ireland winning teams from down through the years.

Speaking to The Echo, owner James Nolan said he has “a collection of stuff down through the years” on display at the shop and acknowledged the erection of a large banner at the top of Shandon Street by the Cork Business Association and Coughlan Heating and Plumbing.

“There are so many people involved. We have the Tidy Towns and the CBA and then there are other volunteers as well. It’s about getting people together really and it’s mighty craic. We had great craic the last time Cork won the All-Ireland.” 

Director of People, Operations and Governance at Cork Chamber Naoimh Frawley called on all businesses to show their for the Cork team by flying the Cork colours, raising the flags, hanging the bunting, lighting up the building in red or wearing red jerseys.

“Whether people are new to Cork, or living here generations, these occasions give communities a reason to come together. Win or lose, there will be celebrations, and these are shared occasions – shared in families, clubs, communities and among workplace teams,” she said.

President of the Cork Business Association (CBA) Aaron Mansworth said the CBA is delighted to see the immense community spirit displayed by the business community in anticipation of Sunday’s final.

“The collective effort to adorn our streets and businesses shows the true spirit of Cork and the deep-rooted pride we all have in our team. Best of luck to the Cork team on Sunday,” he said.

Employees from across Cork Airport arrived to work today wearing red and white ahead of Sunday’s game.

The terminal at Cork Airport has been festooned with red and white bunting, flags and red uplighting all week.

The Asset Care, Maintenance and Electrical teams invested considerable time during the week to decorate the terminal building and arrange for the outside of the building to be lit red in the evenings.

Cork Airport sends the very best wishes to Cork captain Seán O’Donoghue, the entire Cork senior hurling , Cork manager Pat Ryan and his backroom team, on their quest to bring Liam MacCarthy back to Cork after a 19-year absence.

For engers travelling this Sunday who may want to watch the All-Ireland Hurling Final, the Craft Lane Bar & Restaurant in Departures will be showing the game live, as will other large televisions in both the Departures and Arrivals areas.

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said, “Our airport employees experienced huge challenges today with the worldwide systems outage, but they smiled on through.

“This is the same winning spirit which we hope will see the Cork Hurling team victorious in Croke Park on Sunday. Come on the Rebels from all at Cork Airport!”