Damien Cahalane eyes Munster impact after St Finbarr's end 29-year Cork title drought

Blackrock, Glen Rovers and St Finbarr's. The big three of Cork city and county hurling have won over 60% - in that order - of all the senior crowns.

Their collective stranglehold has slipped since the turn of the millennium but still the Rockies last won two years ago and the Glen in 2015 and '16.

Until last month’s victory over Blackrock in teeming rain, however, the Barrs had been waiting since 1993.

"It was unbelievable to get over the line in the end," Cork and St Finbarr’s defender Damien Cahalane tells RTÉ Sport.

"It’s something that you always dreamed of. And 29 years since they won their last one.

"A number of us have been on the road 12 or 13 years. You’re kind of wondering 'Is it going to happen at any stage?'

"Coming up to it there was a massive build-up around which clubs were in the final.

"There was obviously a mention of who we were playing and everything else because you're trying to prepare for them. But I don't think it was overplayed. There was nothing in terms of going back into the history of the rivalry or anything.

"It’s not that it didn’t mean anything to us who we meet but it was a county final, it was there to be performed in and there to be win. So it didn’t really matter to the playing group who you were playing against.

"But the fact that it was Blackrock would have been a nice thing for the older heads in the club."

Even sweeter than ending the drought against old rivals was doing so alongside younger brothers Conor – whose goal was decisive in the final – and Jack.

"Growing up at home, there was seven of us. Three lads and four girls. The girls are probably putting us to shame in terms of their medal haul and what they have done in their games.

"But it’s something that you dream of growing up to be