Johnny Crowley impressed by Cork hurling’s new blood

Though Cork’s Waterford Crystal Cup campaign ended in defeat to Limerick, selector Johnny Crowley is satisfied the competition served its primary purpose of providing new players for the Allianz Hurling League campaign.

The Rebels mark their return to Division 1A with a clash against Kilkenny on Saturday week, and five players who impressed in the pre-season competition have been retained as part of the squad.

Teenage goalkeeper Patrick Collins from Ballinhassig, defenders William Kearney (Sarsfields) and Brian O’Sullivan (Fermoy) and Killeagh’s Andy Walsh, who plays in midfield or attack, are all included.

In addition, Anthony Spillane of Castlelyons, who played for UCC in the Waterford Crystal, also receives a call-up.

Crowley is pleased at the infusion of new blood but insists that the panel will be subject to constant review.

“The Waterford Crystal was good to us,” Crowley said, “The main thing we wanted was to be able to identify some new players. We have few new fellas on the panel, but the way we’re looking at it is that this is a panel for the next game.

“We’ll be reviewing it after each game, it’s fluid going forward, things will be looked at on a regular basis.

“Other lads who might not have made it this time will still be in the frame, we’ll be looking at them from different angles.”

The inclusion of Collins means that Darren McCarthy — who has been understudy to Anthony Nash for the past three years — will continue to operate as a forward for Cork, as he does for his club Ballymartle and as he had been in the Waterford Crystal. “Darren is on the panel now as a forward,” Crowley said. “Patrick will be the sub goalkeeper for the moment, Darren can still play there of course but for now he’ll be considered for selection as a forward.”

With only five games in the regular section of the league before the knockout stages, the Cork management are assured that each will provide a stiff test for the new additions. “Every game is like a championship game at this stage,” Crowley said. “It’s great to be back in it. We have Galway and Dublin away and Kilkenny, Tipp and Clare at home, so having games like that will definitely focus the mind anyway.”