Rebels reshuffle side for UCC clash

CORK senior hurling boss Denis Walsh is set to name an experimental starting 15 for their seasonal opener on Sunday afternoon in the Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final against UCC in Páirc Uí Rinn.

A number of potential newcomers have been ruled out due to involvement with third-level outfits in the pre-season competition yet the management are set to give game time to defensive duo Mark Ellis (Millstreet) and Cian Fogarty (Killeagh) and attacker Bill Cooper (Youghal) in Sunday’s clash. All three were members of the Cork team that reached last year’s All-Ireland IHC final with defender Paul O’Leary, who featured for Blarney in their 2009 All-Ireland Club IHC success, another newcomer in the frame.

Cork’s line-up is also likely to feature panellists from last season like Graham Callanan from Glen Rovers and Sarsfields Ray Ryan. The Cork management have been busy on the challenge game circuit with development sides in action against Limerick IT and Waterford IT as preparations intensify ahead of the NHL Division 1 opener against Offaly on February 13.