An All-Ireland final appearance is a coveted thing for a county to aspire to.
It's not just about the match itself, which this year sees Cork and Tipperary go head-to-head in the hurling final.
It's not even the glory and the celebrations that the winning county enjoys.
But rather, it is how the mood of the whole county is lifted in the run-up to All-Ireland Sunday: it's like an injection of serotonin - it makes everybody feel better.
The feeling is infectious and inescapable. The whole county benefits.
Puffin Ward at Cork University Hospital is where sick children from across Munster come to get better. The children range in age from 18 months to 16 years.
Every year, around 2,500 children pass through the ward and the 50 nurses, doctors and support staff are well used to making them feel as comfortable as possible.
This week, the children in Puffin Ward were just as excited about the build-up to Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final as everybody else in Cork.
Four-year old Ella Leonard from Kilcorney in north Cork might not have understood the significance of Sunday's final, but when the children in Puffin Ward gathered to make a social media video to show their support for the Cork hurlers, Ella wanted a piece of the action too.
"What are they playing on Sunday?" she enquired, before showing wisdom beyond her years and replying to her own question: "I know, a Cork match."
Ella was not gong to be denied her cut of the fun either.
"I've already got a jersey - now I just have to get my hurling ball and my hurling stick," she said.
There are some wise hurling analysts in the Puffin Ward too.
"I think Cork want it more this year," declared 11-year old Shane Holland from Innishannon.
"Last year they weren't getting as much goals. I think they're getting more this year. Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes are going for goals now."
Puffin ward in @CUH_Cork with their now annual video in support of the @OfficialCorkGAA hurlers!! Hope the lads will have the Liam Mc in their company when they visit this year 🙏🤞 #updarebels #allirelandfinal @PaschalSheehy @echolivecork pic.twitter.com/RRmP9FpO81
— Ciara O Flynn (@cnof83) July 11, 2025
Twelve-year old Anna Cronin from Macroom was also confident about Cork's chances on Sunday.
"I think Cork are going to win this year, because they are way hungrier for it," Anna predicted. "They've been going for goals way more often so, on Sunday, we're going to win the Liam MacCarthy."
Rua Pierce, 10, from Bishopstown in Cork city had a special message for the Cork hurlers.
"I love you," said Rua, blowing kisses into the camera lens.
Of course, there is a more serious side to the All-Ireland final too - Cork feel they have to get the job done this year, after they lost to Clare in last year's final.
In a workshop behind his home in Kanturk, former dual star Aidan Walsh has been making hurleys for Cork's ace marksman Patrick Horgan for almost 15 years.
Aidan revealed how "Hoggie" plans ahead - he makes his hurleys over a year before those hurleys see the light of day.
Next year's hurleys spend 12 months in Patrick Horgan's garage, before they're put to use on the training pitch and finally in a game.
"Hoggie's" hurleys are special. They have already helped him deliver three goals and 50 points in this year's championship, and a massive 32 goals and 679 points over his long championship career.
Patrick Horgan's hurleys are not made to a specific weight. Instead, they are re-designed, updated and improved every time a new batch is made.
"Every year we kind of make adjustments to the hurley," explains Walsh, who played both hurling and football himself for Cork.
"Basically, it's nearly a round handle. It's very heavy: it's one of the heaviest outfield hurleys I would make for anyone, really. It's nearly goalkeeper weight - that just shows the strength of his wrists.
"The one thing we do when we are making a hurley (for 'Hoggie') is we make sure the heel is as thick as possible. That's the reason why he's able to get such a great strike off the ball - his 'bas' is fierce thick.
"At the top of the hurley, where they pick the ball, the side he picks the ball with is a deeper chamfer than the other side so, when he's picking the ball, his hurley is actually closer to the ground," Walsh said.
"When he's picking the ball, he has a better opportunity to flick it, which definitely helps him. If you'd notice him, he's able to pick the ball so fast. That's definitely a good contributor to it."
Patrick Horgan is generally regarded as one of the best hurlers ever not to have won an All-Ireland medal.
On Sunday, Aidan Walsh is backing "Hoggie" to change that and come away from Croke Park with a Celtic Cross.
"It would be well deserved," says Walsh.
Back in Cork city, the conveyor belt of underage hurlers and camogie players is running on constant at St Finbarr's GAA Club in Togher.
The club will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and is one of the most decorated hurling and football clubs in the country.
As the underage teams are put through their training sessions, everyone has an opinion on Sunday's final.
"I think Cork are going to win on Sunday because they get lot's of goals, and because of Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey and Damien Cahalane," says ten-year old Amy Bohane.
"I think Cork will win on Sunday because they have the best forward line and they've great fans and all their players have played brilliant all year," says 13-year old Danny Fitzpatrick.
Former hurler of the year and goalkeeper Ger Cunningham is also a proud St Finbarr's member. He's excited that Cork are getting the chance on Sunday to make up for last year's All-Ireland final defeat.
"It's going to be a fantastic occasion," he says.
"I know this project that Pat (Ryan) has been on for the last three years, they're probably a bit more down the line than Tipp, who have come this year with a lot of young fellas coming through.
"I think we're entitled to look forward to it, and hope for the best and let's hope for a great occasion and a great game on Sunday."
Hurling is reaching into every corner of county Cork this week. In the small north Cork village of Freemount, local songwriter Paddy Collins has written a song for the Cork team called 'Pat Ryan's Boys'.
The song was performed in the local community centre by Kelly Feehan and her friends, and when the call went out this week for a crowd to come along, it was like the whole village of 250 people turned up.
So, who's going to win on Sunday?
Kelly Feehan looked startled at the question. The crowd behind her began to roar: "Cork, Cork, Cork."
Thousands of people are expected to travel from Cork to Croke Park on Sunday.
For those who can't make it - or can't get a ticket - Cork GAA and Cork City Council are creating a Rebel Fanzone for 'home' supporters at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The All-Ireland final will be shown on giant-size TV screens, and there will be entertainment before and after the game.
This is being organised as a family-friendly, alcohol-free event and tickets - limited to a maximum of five per person - are free. Tickets are available online from today, via Eventmaster.ie.
As capacity at the event will be limited, organisers are apealing to people to only apply for the number of tickets they will use.
"Once again, demand for tickets for the All-Ireland final is unprecedented, and unfortunately not everyone will be able to attend Croke Park next Sunday," Cork GAA Chairman Pat Horgan said.
"With support of Cork City Council, we are delighted to bring back the Rebels' Fanzone, which will allow supporters of all ages an opportunity to come together and support an incredible team from right across the county."
