PATRICK HORGAN is tired of watching everyone else lift trophies.
The Cork icon has three Munster SHC medals, but their last provincial crown was in 2018. Their last NHL title was 20 years before that in 1998.
But the big one hurts most – because almost 20 years have passed since Liam MacCarthy went to Leeside in 2005.
Kilkenny, Tipperary, Clare, Galway and Limerick have all conquered since then, while Cork have been left behind.
They have lost All-Ireland finals in 2006, 2013 and 2021 before last year’s defeat to the Banner after extra-time on the biggest day of all.
Horgan became hurling’s all-time championship scorer with 29-629 in that game, and is a four-time All-Star.
He admits the team came on leaps and bounds last year as they ended Limerick’s drive for five and brought Clare to the brink in an epic All-Ireland final, but it is time for trophies.
He said: “Yeah, we came on quite a bit but I’d say we probably need to win some sort of a trophy as well on top of that.
“Down through the years we’ve put in big performances in big games, but following it up to win silverware is something we haven’t really done and obviously something we want to do.
“People talk about us like we’re in the bracket with the top teams out there, but they all have trophies and we don’t.
“So obviously we have to get to positions they were in or they are in. They have them, we have to try and get there somehow.”
An NHL crown is within reach, and they can book their place in the Division 1A final if they beat Galway on Saturday night.
Horgan made his SHC debut for the county in 2008, and insists their current squad is the strongest one he has ever been part of as they look to end their 20-year wait for an All-Ireland.
He said: “Without a doubt, yeah. Even though we still have a lot to do, we haven’t really done anything yet, but we have a really strong panel, that’s one thing we do have.
“Everybody who togs out with us as a real chance of playing, there’s nobody who can settle into a position cosy enough.
“Everybody has real pressure on and you can see it even by the way the fellas train. There’s a lot of positions open for fellas to get in.
“If you’re training well, Pat and the lads have obviously shown that if you’re training hard enough and you’re putting in the performance, you’ll be straight in.
“The All-Ireland is obviously everyone’s goal. Even for me, I’ve said it for the last few years, if we ever do win it, I’d say the same thing – it’s one day.
“It’s what everyone wants, but I just love the routine of it, going training and getting better every day.
“You’re doing all that with people that you enjoy being around as well. We have a great bunch, everybody gets along really well. We all push each other to be the best we can be and you can’t beat that.”
Horgan turns 37 in May, but age is only a number for the Glen Rovers man.
NO QUIT
He has batted off the retirement questions for years, and is into his 18th senior season with Cork. As long as he loves it, he will keep going.
He said: “It’s a hard one because you get reminded of your age all the time. Age shouldn’t be a thing, not just because of the age I am.
“But when you actually break it down to what do you need to play at the level we’re playing, I think I’m able. You probably hear from a lot of players that have moved on.
“You get a feeling at some stage, ‘this is it, I can’t do this, I can’t do that. I can’t get to the ball. I don’t really have the appetite to go and do the extra before training or after’.
“Something might go like that, but for me nothing like that has happened yet.
“I love it. I feel like I’m competing really well. Same as anyone else down training – I just want to get a position.”
Cork hurler Patrick Horgan was speaking at the launch of the John West Féile 2025, marking 10 years of sponsorship by the company of the competition at Croke Park.
