Cork's traditional 'Blood and Bandage' jersey will be replaced for the occasion by a unique commemorative kit designed in the style of those worn by Rebel outfits in 1916.

It was in the 1920s Cork adopted the colours of red and white.

However, it was in 1913 that the Leesiders first began to wear a blue jersey with a large 'C' on it.

A Cork County Board press release this morning explained the story behind the jersey: 'In 1913 the GAA Congress decided that each county 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. Early that year, the British Army raided the County Board offices in Cook St, Cork and the jerseys were among the items taken. With no jerseys, and a Munster championship game against Tipperary in the offing, the County Board had to act fast.

Fortunately, the Fr O’Leary Total Abstinence Hall Hurling Club had disbanded to join with St Finbarr's about that time. Sean McCarthy and Tom Irwin, both officers of the County Board, asked to borrow the old Crimson and White old set of jerseys from Fr O’Leary’s T A Hall. There were only 15 jerseys available and Cork supplemented the set by purchasing white pullovers for the substitutes.

Cork defeated Tipperary and wore the crimson jersey for the remainder of season and went on to defeat Dublin in the All-Ireland final. This was Cork’s first success in 16 years and the crimson jerseys were looked upon as lucky omen. Cork sought permission to retain the jersey for all its county teams.

This was granted on the basis that the colour was lightened to the red of today in order to avoid a clash with the maroon of Galway. Cork wore the new red and white jersey for the first time in the All-Ireland final of 1920 (played in May 1922), that final was lost to Dublin.'

Leesiders will be hoping the historical significance of the occasion will lend itself to an improved display from Kieran Kingston's side, one that has struggled to compete in the section thus far this term.