Walsh keeps faith in youth for final decider with Déise

A COUPLE of weeks ago, after what — in effect — is the Cork development squad had beaten UCC in the quarter-final of this tournament, manager Denis Walsh reckoned that only two or three of the team would make the final cut for the league and championship panel. I wonder what he’s thinking now?

Last weekend, that same experimental Cork side had another hard-earned and gritty win over another high-flying college, UL, a team packed with experienced inter-county stars, and again, several players impressed. Could it be that we’re witnessing a renaissance in Cork?

A far more experienced Waterford side, meanwhile, made a fantastic comeback against a strong Clare team, and in Sixmilebridge to boot, coming from 11 points behind at the break to win by one. Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald — made a number of astute switches in that game, and with a host of players still to come back to this squad, will have been more than pleased with that performance. He now faces something of a dilemma at Pairc UI Rinn today (throw in-2pm), however; given that Denis Walsh is sticking to the team that got Cork to this final, does Davy go for broke and field his strongest available side, or does he match like with like, do a little more experimenting himself?