Fergal McCormack

Fergal McCormack (born 1974) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a centre-forward for the Cork and Kerry senior teams.

Born in Mallow, County Cork, McCormack first excelled at hurling during his schooling at St. Colman's College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 and junior sides. He made his senior debut during the 1995 championship. McCormack went on to become a key member of the team, and won one All-Ireland medal, two Munster medals and one National Hurling League medal.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team McCormack lined out on a number of occasions, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal. At club level he was a one-time championship medallist with divisional side Avondhu. McCormack also won several championship medals with Mallow.

His father, Michael, played Gaelic football for Tipperary while his uncle, Mick O'Connell, played Gaelic football for Kerry and is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Throughout his career McCormack made 14 championship appearances for Cork. He retired from Cork following the conclusion of the 2001 championship, however, he returned to inter-county activity during the 2008 National Hurling League as a member of the Kerry senior team.

Playing career

Colleges

In 1992 McCormack was at centre-back on the St. Colman's College senior team that reached the Munster colleges decider. A 3-14 to 3-11 defeat of four-in-a-row hopefuls St. Flannan's College gave McCormack a coveted Dr. Harty Cup medal.^[1][2] Colman's later faced St. Kieran's College in the All-Ireland decider, however, McCormack's side were defeated by 1-7 to 0-8.

University

During his studies at Waterford Regional Technical College, McCormack enjoyed a successful period on the college's senior hurling team. After an extra time defeat by the University of Limerick in 1994, Waterford R.T.C. reached the inter-varsities championship decider again in 1995. A 3-15 to 1-4 trouncing of University College Dublin gave McCormack a Fitzgibbon Cup medal.^[3]

Club

McCormack tasted his first major success with the Mallow under-21 footballers in 1995. A 2-9 to 0-12 defeat of Naomh Abán gave him a championship medal in that grade.

In 1996 McCormack was a member of the Avondhu divisional team that faced Imokilly in the senior championship decider. For the first time ever the final was contested by two divisional teams. Imokilly look set to claim the title, however, a remarkable comeback by Avondhu saw the north Cork men earn a 1-12 apiece draw. The replay saw the north Cork side claim a 0-13 to 1-8 victory, with McCormack collecting a coveted championship medal.

Inter-county

McCormack first played for Cork when he joined the minor team in 1991. His two years in that grade ended without success. He later joining the Cork under-21 team, winning a Munster medal in 1993 following a 1-18 to 3-9 defeat of Limerick.

On 20 May 1995 McCormack made his senior championship debut when he was introduced as a substitute in Cork's 1-22 to 0-12 Munster quarter-final defeat of Kerry.

McCormack enjoyed his first senior success in 1998. A 2-14 to 0-13 defeat of Waterford gave him a coveted National Hurling League medal.

After a seven-year hiatus Cork claimed the provincial title in 1999. A 1-15 to 0-14 defeat of three-in-a-row hopefuls Clare gave McCormack his first Munster medal. Cork later faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider on 12 September 1999. In a dour contest played on a wet day, Cork trailed by 0-5 to 0-4 after a low-scoring first half. Kilkenny increased the pace after the interval, pulling into a four-point lead. Cork moved up a gear and through Joe Deane, Ben O'Connor and Seánie McGrath Cork scored five unanswered points. Kilkenny could only manage one more score – a point from a Henry Shefflin free – and Cork held out to win by 0-13 to 0-12.^[4] It was McCormack's first All-Ireland medal.

McCormack won a second Munster medal in 2000, as Cork retained their title following a 0-23 to 3-12 defeat of Tipperary.

Following defeat in the provincial championship in 2001, McCormack left the Cork panel.

In 2008 McCormack joined up with the Kerry hurling team and played in that year's National Hurling League.^[5]

Inter-provincial

In 1998 McCormack was picked for the Munster inter-provincial team for the first time. He was introduced as a substitute in Munster's 2-15 to 0-9 defeat by Leinster.

The following year McCormack lined out in his sole Railway Cup decider, however, a 2-23 to 1-15 defeat by Connacht was the result on that occasion.

Honours

Team

St. Colman's College

• Dr. Harty Cup (1): 1992

Waterford Regional Technical College

• Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 1995

Mallow

• Cork Under-21 Football Championship (1): 1995

Avondhu

• Cork Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1996

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1999
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1999, 2000
• National Hurling League (1): 1998
• All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1994
• Munster Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1994
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1993

References