Douglas and Mallow bank on youth for opener

DOUGLAS and Mallow get the Evening Echo Cork SFC up and running at Ballanley tonight (throw-in 7pm) in a rerun of their first-round encounter in last year’s championship.

On that occasion Douglas came out on top by a point, and Flor O’Sullivan, a selector with the city side, is expecting just as close a game this year.

“We don’t know much about Mallow apart from the fact that three or four of their senior players have gone.

“The game last year was very close and we’re expecting the very same this year. We’ll have eight or nine U-21s playing, which augurs well for the future of the club, but they’ll be lacking big match experience for a game like tonight. Even though they’re very good players there’s obviously a big difference between a 21-year-old and a seasoned player of 26.”

Douglas have Barry Hanrahan, David O’Connor and Conor McCarthy out injured, but O’Sullivan says: “We’ve had a very good response from all the lads. Last year was disappointing for us and we’ll be hoping for a better showing in this year’s championship.”

Mallow selector Ronan Sheehan says the north Cork outfit will be starting “seven or eight U-21s”.

“This is a bit of a transition year for us: Austin Ahern and Dave Lavin have both gone to Clonmel Commercials, so we’re trying to replace some experienced players.

“They’re good young lads but you don’t know beforehand how they’ll react when they’re thrown into the fray.”

Joe Hayes is the only Mallow injury worry for the game; the new relegation system from senior ranks is a concern of a different order.

“Relegation this year means it’s harder to build a team,” says Sheehan.

“You’re in danger of going into the relegation play-offs if you don’t win - we lost to Douglas and St Michael’s last year in the championship, and if that happened this year we’d be in danger of relegation. That influences whether or not you give seven or eight young lads their senior championship debut on the same night.”

Evening Echo SFC: Douglas v Mallow, Ballyanley, 7pm (P. O’Leary).

Evening Echo Premier IFC: St. Vincent’s v Newmarket, Mourne Abbey, 7pm, (N. Brosnan); Glenville v Newcestown, Belgooly, 7pm (G. Harrington); Mayfield v Kiskeam, Donoughmore, 7pm, (P. Downey).

Tomorrow

Evening Echo Premier IFC: Youghal v Kilavullen, Rathcormack, 3.30pm (A. Cummins).

IFC: Aghabullogue v Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh, Inchigeela, 3.30pm. (R. Murphy).