After a -year absence, Corcoran returned to club hurling early in 2004. His performances at club level resulted in a recall to the Cork senior team. On 16 May 2004 Corcoran made his return to championship hurling, scoring 1-1 after coming on as a substitute in a 4-19 to 1-7 Munster quarter-final defeat of Kerry. After facing a narrow 3-16 to 1-21 defeat by Waterford in one of the greatest Munster finals of all-time in 2004, Cork worked their way through the qualifiers and lined out against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider on 12 September 2004. The game was expected to be a classic, however, a rain-soaked day made conditions difficult as Kilkenny aimed to secure a third successive championship. The first half was a low-scoring affair and provided little excitement for fans, however, the second half saw Cork completely take over. For the last twenty-three minutes Cork scored nine unanswered points and went on to win the game by 0-17 to 0-9. It was Corcoran's second All-Ireland medal. He finished off the year by winning a third All-Star.