Rebels will wear once-off jersey in home league game at Páirc Uí Rinn.
THIS is the specially designed jersey that Cork hurlers will wear – as a once-off – this Saturday night against Kilkenny in round four of the Allianz Hurling League at Páirc Uí Rinn.
This jersey is designed in the style and colour worn by Cork teams of 1916.
The colour and style of jersey Cork wore in 1916 was very different to the Red and White that has become synonymous with Cork teams since the 1920s.
In 1913 the GAA Congress decided that each count must register a jersey style and colour for their county teams.
Prior to this colours varied from year to year, often because inter-county teams chose to wear the colours of their county champions.
JJ Walsh, then President of the Cork County Board (the chairman’s position did not exist) chose the blue jersey with a large saffron letter ‘C’ across the chest.
It is believed that Walsh saw these colours on the officers of the Belgian Army when the Cork hurling team played Tipperary in Mechlin, Belgium in an exhibition hurling game as part of the 1912 Celtic Congress in Belgium.
Cork teams subsequently wore this jersey until 1919.
The new jersey will be on sale at the end of next week.
