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Patrick Horgan takes issue with Cork boss’ dig at previous Rebel teams

Published 10:43 26 May 2026 BST

Updated 10:43 26 May 2026 BST

Jack Fennessy
Patrick Horgan takes issue with Cork boss’ dig at previous Rebel teams

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The Cork legend does not agree!

On Sunday, Cork defeated Clare 1-30 to 1-16 in the Munster SHC to set up a final with Limerick, for a repeat of last year's showpiece.

The win meant the Rebels and manager Ben O'Connor completed a long-term goal of winning every game in the round-robin-stage, finishing with maximum points.

They became the first county to achieve this feat since Tipperary in 2019. (You can watch the highlights of their victory below).

In an article from the Irish Examiner, columnist and Cork legend Patrick Horgan - who retired from inter-county hurling after last year's All-Ireland final defeat - took issue with comments made after the game by the 45-year-old coach.

Horgan wrote: "After the game Ben O’Connor said Cork had been known down through the years as having nice players who didn’t work hard, and he would only play lads who’d work hard. I don’t know if I agree with Ben there.

"I don’t know if I agree with Ben there, because it suggests previous management teams put up with fellas who didn’t try, or that his current players are trying hard now but didn’t in the past.

"That struck me as odd given most of the team he has now have won Munster finals, league finals, and reached two All-Ireland finals; you don’t get to that level without trying hard."