Cork GAA Discussion Thread

Seadin

I think he was probably told by Ben that he wouldnt be part of his plans for 2026. Ben is ruthless and probably told Horgan his time is up. I think Horgan would have stayed on otherwise.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845491#Comment_123845491

"Ben is ruthless"

What has he done in the past to give this impression ?

King Power Fox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845464#Comment_123845464

Did he not play well in 2013 final v Clare. Scored a great point in drawn final to almost nick it for Cork which would have been a travesty on Clare based on the balance of play for the overall match.

Seadin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845500#Comment_123845500

Did you watch laochra gael?

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845586#Comment_123845586

Not that episode so maybe you can fill me in on what makes him a ruthless manager. As its the eve of his first year as a senior manager I wouldn't know much about him.

thefa

Great player. Think he had a really good 2024 when I think quite a few wouldn’t have minded him retiring after 2023. Was automatic from placed balls for years. Felt like that has decayed a little bit and good defenders have marked him out of it.

But yeah, what an impact. We’d have won much less games without Hoggie, probably have a couple less Munster titles too.

gifted

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845491#Comment_123845491

Your some man for using the word "think" and " probably" in the majority of your posts.

Any chance of some factual posts?

DellyBelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845542#Comment_123845542

He did in fairness play well in 13. Maybe being regarded as a leader of tge team affected his performance in subsequent finals. As I said a beautiful hurler who had all the skills but just lacked that x factor when really needed.

Innish_Rebel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840679#Comment_123840679

Doh - that is a real facepalm moment - sorry for the error. Hmmm do I swap my prediction to Sars - no I think I'll stick with My original - I think the loss of Cathal McCarthy is a big one - he was awesome against Erins Own when I saw them…

Vinnie222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845974#Comment_123845974

Calling Hoggy ‘lacking’ in finals is some take 😂. He was the one player Cork could rely on while others went hiding when it mattered. Without him, there wouldn’t be any finals to talk about. Blaming the man who carried Cork on his back for nearly 20 years is pure clueless stuff. If anything, the only thing that was lacking was 14 teammates producing half of what Hoggy did.

BensonJR

Honestly, I think calling him “ruthless” is more about his management style than anything to do with Horgan as a player. Ben just doesn’t shy away from making tough, unpopular decisions, and I guess that’s what gives him that reputation. You can see it in how he handles squad selections and who stays or goes — it’s cold, but effective.

DellyBelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123846074#Comment_123846074

So you think he produced his best in the finals? 13 he did well but in the other finals him and his teammates did not stand up when required. Although I do 100% agree with you he got us to the finals there is no argument there…

Vinnie222

Look, nobody’s saying Hoggy hit his absolute peak in every final, but let’s be real, who did? Finals are won by teams, not one forward. Pinning finals on him is harsh in the extreme. If anything, it just shows how much was expected of him because he carried the load for so long

Seadin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123845891#Comment_123845891

This is a forum where opinions are flowing and given. Hope you can get used to that fact.

zetecescort

Brian Hayes up for player of the year. 11 All Star nominations with both Downeys, Dalton and Healy missing out from the All Ireland final 15

HurlingBoy

Sad to see Hoggie retired without an AI Medal but very few players get the fairytale ending. Definitely the right decision to bow out now. Very few players playing at 37 years of age now.

Seadin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123846139#Comment_123846139

The one criticisim I have of him is in the 2024 and 2025 finals he missed a few easy routine frees that he should have got for his high standards. You would not see Canning TJ Reid, Eoin Kelly Tipp, miss vital frees like that.

jommer01

Do yourself a favour and rewatch the closing stages of both normal and extra time in 2024 final - Horgan nearly dragged the team through.

TJ missed a few handy frees when KK collapsed in the second half against Clare in 2024 semi. Very few of the greats are infallible

Straight Talker

It really is the end of an era. One of my favourite evenings as a Cork supporter was that win over Galway in Thurles in 2008. Hoggie came on as a sub that day and scored a point. He's carried an awful lot of poor and mediocre Cork teams on his back over the years.

He might have been past his best to an extent but in a way he was still our marquee forward imo. He was still good enough to make an impact from the bench. As for the all Ireland medal he should have won it in 2013 but the referee that day was going to keep that game going until Clare got the equaliser.

Cheers Hoggie and thanks for all the years of great service to the county and all those great performances. Is he the greatest player not to win an all Ireland medal? Well he's up there with the likes of Ciaran Carey Gary Kirkby Ken McGrath John Mullane Tony Browne and Paul Flynn etc.

A true Leeside and Cork hurling legend no doubt. God it will be bittersweet if we finally get over the line next year. I just think after the trauma of that all Ireland final defeat a legendary player and ruthless character like Ben O'Connor is precisely what's needed to pick the lads up off the floor, and instill that bit of ruthlessness and winning mentality into them.

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123851026#Comment_123851026

Nice post and well said… as a Kilkenny man I was a big fan of Hoggies , a great hurler and always magnanimous in victory or defeat. Best of luck to him on his retirement.

HurlingBoy

Players should not be defined by whether or not they won an AI Medal. In any other era Hoggie would have a few medals. He was just unlucky to be playing during Cork's barron years. I think if Pat Ryan stayed on he might have given one more year but with a change of management definitely the right call. He is up there with Ciaran Carey, John Mullane & Ken McGrath as the greatest not to win an AI particularly for his longevity.