Ian O'Riordan looks at how Cork's three-in-a-row in the 1970s shares much with the quest for their latest one
Of the small treasure trove of hurling three-in-a-rows, Cork and Kilkenny own most of the jewels. They were present in every previous edition of the feat, either on the winning end or the losing end, and Cork's latest quest for the three-in-a-row has so many links with Kilkenny that past meetings still weigh heavily on the present.
Kilkenny had their last quest to win three in a row in 2004 ended by Cork. Kilkenny were also the victims of the last three-in-a-row, which Cork won in 1978. There's a crossover in characters too. Current Cork manager John Allen was a substitute on that 1978 winning team, and Kilkenny manager Brian Cody full forward on the losing team.
Cork, though, have grabbed half of the three-in-a-row bounty - winning a record three: 1892, 1893 and 1894; then 1941, 1942 and 1943 (completing the four-in-a-row in 1944); and again in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
Tipperary are next best with two - winning in 1898 (beating Kilkenny), 1999 and 1900, and then 1949, 1950 (beating Kilkenny again) and 1951.
Kilkenny's only three-in-a-row was in 1911, 1912 (beating Cork) and 1913, but they were on course for the three-in-a-row in 1976 until Wexford surprised them in the Leinster final. Cork of course won that All-Ireland final . . . setting up their three-in-a-row.
Cork's last three-in-a-row shares much with the quest for their latest one: it grew from a low period in the county, it was fraught with tight matches and narrow escapes, and central to it all was another highly influential goalkeeper, Martin Coleman.
1976 All-Ireland final: Sept 5th
Cork 2-21, Wexford 4-11
Cork were going through the most barren period in their hurling history; they hadn't won a senior All-Ireland in six years and had only one from the previous 22. When they struggled to get past Tipperary in the Munster semi-final, few would have predicted a three-in-a-row. Yet they handled Limerick in the Munster final and got a bye into the All-Ireland final to face Wexford.
When Cork trailed 2-2 to 0-0 after five minutes even the one-in-a-row looked like a long shot. But Cork rallied, Pat Moylan leading the charge at midfield (he ended with 0-10) and the young Jimmy Barry Murphy switching from wing forward to centre forward with decisive effect.
That year, however, Cork had also taken match preparation to new levels by introducing Canon Bertie Troy as team coach and former footballer Kevin Kehilly as team trainer.
"We were streets ahead of most counties in terms of preparation," recalled Coleman. "In our era we were just as well prepared as the team today."
CORK: M Coleman; B Murphy, P McDonnell, M Doherty; P Barry, J Crowley, D Coughlan; G McCarthy, P Moylan; M Malone, B Cummins, J Barry Murphy; C McCarthy, R Cummins (capt), S O'Leary. Subs: E O'Donoghue for O'Leary, J Horgan for Barry.
1977 All-Ireland final: Sept 4th
Cork 1-17, Wexford 3-8
They say Cork wouldn't be chasing this three-in-a-row without goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack, and they might not have celebrated the last one without Coleman. Having been eight points down against Waterford in the Munster semi-final, they rallied to win by five, then beat Clare in the Munster final. Wexford were out for revenge, again beating Kilkenny in the Leinster final. Cork's preparations were now proving such an asset that this time they dominated from early on.
Coleman literally saved Cork at the end when Wexford rallied. The late Christy Keogh sent a thundering shot at goal and it looked like the certain equaliser, only for Coleman to reach for it and leave those in attendance confident they had witnessed one of the greatest saves in an All-Ireland final.
CORK: M Coleman; B Murphy, M Doherty (capt), J Horgan; D MacCurtain, J Crowley, D Coughlan; T Cashman, T Crowley; M Malone, G McCarthy, J Barry Murphy; C McCarthy, R Cummins, S O'Leary. Subs: P Moylan for Malone, T Murphy for G McCarthy.
1978 All-Ireland final: Sept 3rd
Cork 1-15, Kilkenny 2-8
Just like today, the three-in-a-row to feel complete needs a victory over Kilkenny along the way. Cork finally got their chance in the 1978 final, but only after a couple of hard battles, hardest of all the Munster final win over Clare.
Kilkenny had stern tests against Wexford and Galway and looked well set to challenge Cork. Tactically, however, Cork outplayed them, switching Tim Crowley from wing forward to midfield to telling effect, while Coleman frequently surprised Kilkenny with sweeping runs for his long puck-outs. What's that line about history repeating itself?
CORK: M Coleman; B Murphy, M O'Doherty, J Horgan; D MacCurtain, J Crowley, D Coughlan; T Cashman, P Moylan; J Barry Murphy, G McCarthy, T Crowley; C McCarthy (capt), R Cummins, S O'Leary. Subs: J Allen for Cashman, E O'Donoghue for O'Leary.
