Shane O'Donnell Thinks Cork Fans Are Repeating 2024 All-Ireland Mistake

It's hard to fathom that Cork have now been waiting 20 years for an All-Ireland senior hurling title.

Not since Seán Óg Ó hAilpín climbed the Hogan Stand steps in 2005 to lift Liam MacCarthy has the most desired trophy in Cork returned Leeside.

Along the way, there has been some heartbreak. They have reached and lost four All-Ireland finals in the intervening two decades, including their defeat in last year's final to Clare.

Despite last July's disappointment, the Rebels have spent the vast majority of this season as favourites to finally get over the line and win the All-Ireland.

Cork's fans have mobilised en masse since the beginning of last season, and the sea of red in the Croke Park stands for their semi-final (against Dublin, no less) was a sight to behold.

Trains from Cork to Dublin on All-Ireland final day have been sold out for weeks now, encapsulating the crazy hurling fever taking over the county once more.

It's been a remarkable fan movement but Shane O'Donnell was on the Clare team that broke Cork hearts last year (and in 2013), and he feels the county's supporters could be getting a bit ahead of themselves.

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Reigning Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell was a special guest on the GAA Social's All-Ireland hurling final preview live show in Belfast this week.

O'Donnell and Clare were bolters in last year's All-Ireland race, becoming just the second panel ever to win Liam MacCarthy without a single player ever having won a provincial medal.

Cork were given the edge by many pundits in the buildup to last year's final, just as they have been in the lead-up to Sunday's showdown with Tipperary.

O'Donnell cheekily pointed out that the expectations of Cork fans had come back to bite them last year, shooting them a warning not to underestimate Tipp:

Maybe a lot of people in Munster are guilty of the same, not thinking of Tipp in the same way of being able to [win]...but they've blended a team very well.

You just don't know how these games are going to go. Especially with Tipp's young lads, they're just going to go out there and give it a lash.

Cork have been there a couple of times now, have a couple of losses in recent history as well. I feel like they'll think their time has come.

I think a combination of those things...Cork are the better team. I don't think anyone is going to argue, really, with that. But that doesn't really mean a huge amount when it comes down to a final.

Cork are under a bit of pressure. I don't know if they feel the pressure, I just feel they think they're going to win it. It doesn't really matter whether there's pressure or not.

They're under pressure, more so from their fans than anything else. I think their fans genuinely think this is [theirs] - and they probably though the same last year, 'Ah, sure it's only Clare, we'll destroy them.'

There definitely is pressure from their fans. I just get the sense that doesn't bother them that much.

There is no doubt that the weight of expectation is on Cork, but their fans have hardly done much to quell those expectations.

Some fans have been pictured with tattoos declaring the Rebels All-Ireland champions already, while the noise coming from the county has been one of expectation rather than hope all year.

It will be a special sight if the sea of red is rewarded with Liam MacCarthy in Robert Downey's hands come Sunday evening. However, Tipperary will have plenty to say between now and the full-time whistle.

A cracker is in store in Croker.