Kicking King Sherlock revelling in new era of Gaelic football

By John Harrington

If you want a poster-boy for the new FRC Gaelic football rules, look no further than Cork’s Steven Sherlock.

When he decided to take a break from inter-county football for the 2025 season he did so off the back of a match that was one of many cries for help that persuaded the powers that be that Gaelic football needed emergency surgery.

Cork were beaten by Louth in the preliminary quarter-final of the 2024 All-Ireland Championship on a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-8 in a claustrophobically defensive game that saw the Cork forwards score just four points between one another.

Sherlock didn’t kick any of them and was substituted midway through the second-half.

He’d been a bit-part player for most of Cork’s League and Championship campaign and was disillusioned with a game where teams set up not to lose rather than go out with the ambition of winning.

Ultimately the decision to focus on his club football in 2025 proved to be a restorative experience for Sherlock.

The new three up and two-pointer rules made the most of his ability to score from all sorts of distances and ranges, something that was dramatically showcased in the Munster Club Final against Dingle when he kicked 16 points from 14 shots.

Cork dual-star legend, Jimmy Barry Murphy, was a selector with St. Finbarr’s last year and had a ring-side seat as Sherlock embraced a new era of attacking Gaelic football with open arms.

“At the time he wasn't getting enough game-time time for Cork I think,” says Barry-Murphy of Sherlock’s decision to focus on his club football.

“With the old rules, he was finding it a bit frustrating I think, so he took a year off from the county and I think it did him a lot of good to just concentrate on the club scene for the year.

“He really enjoyed it, got his form back, got his confidence back, worked very hard at his game.

“Ian Maguire had been club captain for a few years and wanted a break from it so we asked Steven to take on that mantle. I think that also developed leadership qualities because he's been an outstanding captain for the club as well, the same as Ian was.

“I think that gave his confidence a massive boost. He really rediscovered his love for the game and I think the new rules have helped that as well.

“The new two-point rule now has been a huge development in the game and Steven has been hugely successful with that.”

So successful has Sherlock been with mastering the art of the two-pointer, than no outfield player has scored more than the nine he has kicked in this year’s championship. Only Wicklow goalkeeper, Mark Jackson, betters him with a personal tally of 13 two-pointers.

Sherlock also kicked 11 two-pointers in the League and, according to Irish Examiner journalist, Eoghan Cormican, he landed 35 for St. Finbarr’s in last year’s club championship.

That brings him up to an incredible 55 two-pointers since the rule was introduced, which makes him one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in Gaelic football right now.

Sherlock is a naturally gifted kicker of the ball, but his consistent accuracy from long range is something he’s worked very hard to improve.

“I was involved with Cork hurlers from 2012 to 2015 and I worked with Patrick Hogan and I watched the way he developed his skills by working on them and Stephen reminds he so much of Patrick in terms of the time and effort that he puts into preparation, free taking, and shooting with both feet," says Barry-Murphy.

“They're very similar in their work ethic and their dedication to improving their skills and doing it all the time.

“Steven will always be in training well before everybody else and staying even later working on different angles, shooting at all times, and it's a massive work ethic to develop that skill set and maintain it because at the level he's at now, you've got to do that.

“He's a very, very balanced player and can shoot very well off both feet. For any young player who hopes to develop their game, they should watch Steven.

“It’s so important to work on your weak side as well which is Steven’s left-hand side and he has improved brilliantly on that.

“Steven is obviously a very good shooter, but that’s not his only forte. He's a lovely footballer and interacts very well with other players.

“Himself and Ian Maguire in particular have a very telepathic relationship, they work very well together and always have done.”

Cork captain Maguire has played alongside Sherlock with the Barrs for many years and hasn’t been surprised his good friend has been shooting the lights out for the Rebels since he returned to the fold this year.

"Steven is a super player, he has been unbelievable for the club, and he has had plenty of good days with Cork before this year," Maguire told GAA.ie.

“A player as skilful and talented as Steve, being able to see him flourish under the new rules is brilliant."

"He has really worked hard to put himself in the position he's in now. It is great to see how brilliant he's playing at the moment, but even with the club last year, he was our captain, he was incredible.

"The amount of work he puts in terms of his kicking, I see it first hand being a good friend of his. People see the easy part, putting the ball over the bar on a Sunday, but the level of work that man puts in is incredible. I can't speak highly enough about his work rate. Furthermore, his passion for the game is incredible."

Cork football tends to shiver in the long shadow cast by hurling, but there’s a palpable buzz in the county ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Mayo.

The core of this Cork panel has been together for a good few years now and has had some tough days along the way, but they’re getting the reward now for their dedication to the cause.

“I'm absolutely thrilled for them, it's a great buzz,” says Barry-Murphy. “Hurling obviously gets the massive high profile attendances, but I think in fairness to John Cleary, I have to put this on record, he has done a fantastic job.

“When John took it on a couple of years ago it was a thankless job and he went through a tough time. As a manager I know myself it can be tough, but I think the amount of work that John Cleary has put in, in developing the team, in developing his backroom team, and always being willing to delegate and bring people in, has been a huge part of his success.

“I can't praise him enough for what he has achieved this year, the last two years, but in particular this year they are reaping the rewards of the massive amount of work they are putting in, and another huge day to look forward to on Saturday.”

Two weeks on from their sensational win over Donegal in Ballybofey, Cork are entitled to believe they’re more than capable of beating Mayo on Saturday and making it to the last four of the Sam Maguire Cup.

“Absolutely,” says Barry-Murphy. “Momentum is everything in sport. Cork going to Ballybofey, I have to be honest, I was very, very doubtful that we would get a result there. But they went up there with a very positive attitude.

“They looked in trouble at half-time but the spirit and the skill levels that they showed in the second half was a credit to them and they got a fantastic result.

“That was the draw from hell for Cork really, to play Donegal in Ballybofey, we all thought. So to come out of that will have given them a huge confidence boost and hopefully they can build on that.

“You’d have to have huge respect for Mayo and the way they’ve bounced back this year, but I think Cork have a great chance.”