Exodus may cost St Nick’s

ST NICKS’ chances of victory against St Finbarr’s in tonight’s Cork SFC game at Páirc Uí Rinn (6.45pm) have been dealt a massive blow following the departures of goalkeeper Peter Cuthbert and full-back Donal Óg O’Donovan to the States for the summer.

Barr’s will be at full strength and with Robert O’Mahony back from army duty, they’ll start favourites.

They will field a team of youth and experience that will include county senior hurler Ronan Curran, Fionan Murray, Aidan O’Shea, Michael Shields and David Newman.

St Nick’s will have Michael Brosnan in goal, and Graham Callanan, Dave Cunningham, Shane O’Donoghue and Paul O’Brien outfield looking to spoil the Blues’ party.

Liam Meaney is the only absentee for St Michael’s when they face Mallow at the same venue (8.10pm) but they are boosted by the availability of Wayne Sherlock.

Long-serving Damien O’Connell, who missed out on the first round defeat by Bishopstown due to injury, is fully fit, and he, along with brother Ken, Brian O’Keeffe, Fergal Ryan, Frank Barry and Alan Deasy will push Mallow.

County senior Cian O’Riordan, John Cronin, Anthony Cashman, Michael O’Donovan, Dessie Golden and Ronan Sheehan will spearhead Mallow’s challenge.