CORK have only faced Kerry in two Munster finals in Killarney since 2016, both comfortable wins for the home side in 2017 and 2021.

The 2026 edition, on Sunday, May 10th, feels a lot closer to call however. With the Rebels earning promotion to Division 1 and Kerry reportedly having key players missing, is the gap closing?

Colm O’Callaghan, who has played in just two Munster senior finals in his career, can’t wait for the challenge.

‘All roads lead to Killarney. It’s very exciting. At the start of the year, a Munster final is what we’ve been aiming for along with promotion in the league,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘We haven’t been in a Munster final for five years. That’s hard to believe, so we’re delighted to be back in one.

‘There is always a buzz down in Killarney too. We’ll be really looking forward to it. After the Tipp game, there is going to be plenty to work on for the next two weeks.’

Cork had to navigate past Division 4 teams in Limerick and Tipperary to reach the decider.

An easy job on paper but Cork got it done. Now, they will look ahead to their first Munster decider since 2021.

‘When the draw was made, it was a goal that we should be getting there. We’ve got to go to Killarney now, which is great,’ Rebels’ boss John Cleary said.

‘Really looking forward to it and it will give a measure of where we are. We’re going down into the home of the All-Ireland champions. Comprehensive champions last year. It’s something we're looking forward to. Cork and Kerry rivalry. Down in Killarney. Where else would we want to be?’

Cork have won eight out of ten competitive games this year and have made great strides. To play in provincial finals regularly and to compete against Kerry is the next big aim.

‘The lads want to play in Munster finals. Now, the draw was probably against us and we were playing Kerry before the final in most of those years, bar one,’ Cleary explained.

‘We had the luck of the draw this year and going forward, it looks like, if we stay in Division One, that’s the way it is going to be. It’s work in progress. There’s still hard work to stay up there when you get up there. That’s what we aim to do.’

What Cork have now is a panel that can keep them competitive in games.

They scored 2-4 from their bench in their Munster semi-final win over Tipperary with O’Callaghan, Ruairí Deane, Brian Hurley (since ruled out with a groin injury) and Conor Corbett impressing.

It’s a great way to prepare for a battle with the defending All-Ireland champions.

‘Brian kicked a great two-pointer and Conor got in for a goal. Colm O’Callaghan made a big difference when he came on. We do feel that we’ve built a strong panel,’ Cleary added.

‘There were guys that didn’t get any game time against Tipp that are going very well in training and unfortunately we couldn’t get them in but that’s what the squad is all about. Whatever happens now, we'll have three more matches. In the Munster final and two in the Sam Maguire. So it's exciting times and we’ll need every one of the panel for them.’

O’Callaghan didn’t start in the Munster semi-final. He played every minute of every game before then but was carrying a minor knock. It’s not anything major to worry about.

‘There is a bit of a knock that I am nursing at the moment but it was great to come on and get the legs going before two weeks’ time,’ O’Callaghan clarified.