Cork slowly shaking off the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’

Stephen McDonnell can thank his Cork team-mate Jamie Coughlan for the No 3 jersey.

McDonnell made his name in the open prairies of midfield with Glen Rovers, but when Coughlan troubled the Glen in a club game McDonnell’s pace suggested he’d be the man to shut down the Newtown player and he was sent back to the last line of defence.

Now McDonnell is Cork’s established full-back. Part of the new buzz about the Rebel hurlers.