Kerry open defence of minor title with clash with Clare

CHAMPIONS Kerry include five of last year’s starting 15 for tonight’s opening game in the Munster MFC against Clare in Cusack Park in defence of Munster minor crown.

David Cullotty and Shane Murphy both played against Cork in last year’s final in Killarney. Ciaran Kelleher, who was also on the 2003 team, is among the subs. Reidy and substitute David Doyle are members of the Ireland Compromise Rules team which travels to Australia on Sunday.

Cork include six of last year’s team for their opener against Waterford at Leamybrien. Had Fintan Gould and Niall Horgan been fit, that number would have gone up to eight. Stephen O’Donoghue, Kevin Harrington, Michael Shields, Eoin Cadogan, Daniel Goulding, Paul Kerrigan and Stephen Bermingham were all members of the 2003 team which failed to Kerry in the Munster final.

Six of the starting 15 were on the Cork Vocational team which defeated Kerry in the Munster final replay - Kevin Harrington, Stephen Keohane, Andrew O’Sullivan, Cathrach Keane, Colm Callinan and Kevin Canty. Three players are included among the subs, David Harrington, Andy Concannon and Paul Mannix.

Tipperary include two dual players in Darragh Egan and Shane O’Brien against Limerick in Fermoy. It’s an incredibly busy time for O’Brien, who plays with St Flannan’s in the All-Ireland Colleges hurling semi-final on Saturday. On Sunday he packs his bags and travels to Australia with the Ireland Compromise rules team. O’Brien will lead the Tipp attack tonight while Egan is at midfield.

The three winners will go through to the Munster semi-finals, while the three losers will play off to decide on the fourth place.

Kerry, Cork and Tipperary are favourites to reach the last four.

All three games in tonight’s Munster MFC have a 6.30pm start with extra-time if necessary.

CORK (MF v Waterford): K. O’Halloran (Bishopstown); R. Carey (Clyda Rovers), S. O’Donoghue (Ballincollig), K. Harrington (Bantry Blues); M. Shields (St. Finbarrs), E. Cadogan (Douglas), S. Keohane (St. Marys); A. O’Sullivan (Castletownbere), C. Keane (Newcestown); C. Callinan (Clonakilty), D. Goulding (Eire Og), P. Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers); R. Leahy (St. Finbarrs), K. Canty (Valley Rovers), S. Bermingham (Douglas); Subs. MP O’Regan (Clonakilty), G. O’Shea (Nemo Rangers), D. Harrington (Garnish), S. McCarthy (Eire Og), K. O’Halloran (Mallow), D. McCarthy (Kilmurry), B. Fitzgerald (Douglas), A. Concannon (Ballingeary), P. Mannix (Awbeg Rangers).

WATERFORD (MF v Cork): R. Dennison (De La Salle); C. Hayes (Kilrossanty), K. McBride (De La Salle), K. Dunne (Clashmore); T. Grey (De La Salle), S. Prendergast (Kilrossanty), I. Cantwell (De La Salle); J. Seward (Clashmore), M. Tobin (An Ghaeltacht); D. Allen (Clashmore), M. Fives (Ballinacourty), K. O’Keeffe (Clashmore); J. O’Keeffe (Dungarvan), P. Hurney (Ballinacourty), C. McDonald (Gaultier).

KERRY (MF v Clare): B. Kealy (Kilcummin); C. O’Mahony (Ballydonoghue), L. Quinn (Dr Crokes), K. Young (Renard); S. Murphy (Milltown/Castlemaine), P. Reidy (Scartaglin), D. Doyle (Churchill); D. Cullotty (Na Gaeil), R. O’Connor (Glenbeigh/Glencar); M. Evans (Dingle), D. O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), K. O’Leary (Dr Crokes); J. Buckley (Currow), M. O’Donoghue (Spa), E. Mangan (Ballylongford). Subs: P. Harrington (Ballyduff); C. Kelliher (Milltown/Castlemaine), B. Dennehy (Austin Stacks), P. O’Connor (Kenmare), D. O’Connor (Gneeveguilla), A. Kenneally (Dr Crokes), A. O’Sullivan (Tuosist), A. Maher (Duagh), J. Murphy (Dingle).

CLARE (MF v Kerry): C. O’Loughlin (Miltown); T. McMahon (Clarecastle), C. Howley (St Breckans), M. McMahon (Kilmurry/Ibrickane); S. O’Connor (St Breckans), G. Lyons (St. Josephs/ Doora-Barefield), J. Hayes (Kilrush); P. Connolley (Kilfenora), K. King (Kilmurry/Ibrickane); O. Troy (O’Currys), S. Hickey Kilmurry/Ibrickane), C. Lyons (Kilrush); S. Moloney (Kilmurry/Ibrickane), D. Ryan (Kilmihil), N. Downs (Kilmurry/Ibrickane). Subs. C. Dillon (Doonbeg), C. Carrrucan (Ballyvaughan), M. O’Connell (Wolfe Tones), S. Moloney (Kilmurry/Ibrickane), D. Tubridy (Doonbeg), J. Killeen (Cooraclare), C. Considine (do.), P. O’Flynn (Killimer), P. Lynch (Tulla).

LIMERICK (MF v Tipperary): T. Enright (Fr Caseys); S. Browne (Newcastle West), J. Roche (Mungret), P. O’Brien (South Liberties); B. Argue (Monaleen), M. Boyce (Drom/Broadford), S. Crowley (St Kierans); J. Ryan (Galbally), S. Garvey (Ballybricken); C. Whelan (Newcastle West), E. Ryan (Kilmallock), S. O’Mahony (Castletown/Ballyagran); M. Curtin (Mountcollins), D. Dalton (Na Piarsaigh), K. O’Callaghan (Ballylanders).

TIPPERARY (MF v Limerick): M. McKeogh (Ballina); I. Murphy (Killenaule), G. Hayes (Golden/Kilfeacle), C. Morrissey (Clonmel Og); D. Lyne (Moyle Rovers), S. Walsh (Fethard), K. Harney (Clonmel Commercials); D. Egan (Kildangan), G. Hannigan (Shannon Rovers); C. McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), S. O’Brien (Ballina), S. Murphy (Kilruane McDonaghs); T. Dalton (Arrivale Rangers), B. Grogan (Aherlow), B. Mulvihill (Moyle Rovers).