Experienced duo happy to see Cork give youth its fling

CORK may be operating without a clutch of their established players but two of their most experienced servants believe that the county’s hurling championship prospects have been boosted by the influx of youngsters into the squad.

Already handicapped by the concession of the four points from the Kilkenny and Waterford games, Gerald McCarthy has had to operate minus the services of key figures, including Séan Óg Ó hAilpín, Ronan Curran and Jerry O’Connor.

Only five of the players who started last August’s All-Ireland quarter-final replay defeat to Waterford were on the field for the throw-in in the win against Antrim at Casement Park two days ago.