Rebels here, there, everywhere! Cork hurlers will be cheered on from across the globe this Sunday

That’s the population of Cork city and county, according to the last Census in 2022. The largest, proudest, and some would say cockiest county in the country.

Cork people will tell you that the least amount of people emigrate from the Rebel County, and the most return to settle on the Banks of the Lee (a fact that’s yet to be verified), but in spite of this, you’re still likely to spot a Corkonian somewhere across the world.

And as the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship rolls around this Sunday, houses and gardens from Auckland to Vancouver are being dressed up in the red and white, as those who can’t make it home for the huge match do their best to connect home, with the Rebels looking to secure their 31st Liam MacCarthy Cup.

One man who will be at Croker, making his sixth trip back home to support the Rebels, is Luxembourg-resident Damien Higgins.

“I’ve been here for the last 20 years, but try and make it back at least four or five times a year for matches, whether it’s the hurlers, the footballers, or Cork City games.

“This year I’ve made it to the Tipperary round robin game and the semi-final against Dublin, as well as getting both games against Kerry for the footballers, and three home Cork City matches at Christmas.

“My Dad used to be a referee, so I would have gotten tickets through him, but last year I had to hit the roads early in Dublin to try and get a ticket for the final against Clare. I was planning to do the same this year, but thankfully, someone back home has come up with a ticket last minute.”

Damien says it’s hard to explain the obsession to his European colleagues.

“No, they don’t get it at all,” Damien laughs. “They don’t understand why I’d be spending all this money and days off to try and get home. Usually, I’d fly from Luxembourg to Dublin, which is the plan for this weekend, but you can also fly from Zurich or Charleroi to Cork, so there are plenty of options.

“If Cork play their best hurling, I think they’ll win, I’m cautiously optimistic, you could say!”

The Facebook group, ‘Corkonians far and wide’, currently has over 22,000 members and was founded by Cork native Barry Murphy, who currently resides in the historic town of Christchurch in Dorset.

“I’ll be glued to the telly in the house,” Barry says. “I’m trying to get another Cork fella living near me to join us.

“I get to hear Cork news as fast as anyone at home, it’s like I never left! I fly the Cork flag wherever I go, and the fridge will be full Cork style ahead of Sunday!”

Francis and Cheri Harrington already have the Cork flag flying proudly outside their home in Dundas, Ontario, Canada. Francis is a Bantry native and also has the house stocked ahead of the game.

“Up the Rebels!” he says, decked out in his Cork gear.

Flags on the deck are also being displayed at the home of Dermot Hayes, who went to Germany to follow the Irish soccer team in their inaugural European Championships in 1988, and is sporting Cork, Munster, and Ireland flags – in that order.

And with a 7.30 am start, local, Dermot hopefully has understanding neighbours, who will undoubtedly be woken up by their Irish neighbour watching their strange sport, if Cork lift Liam once again!