Sweetnam out of Cork opener

Cork U21 hurling boss Ger Fitzgerald has revealed that he will have to plan without teenage hurling sensation Darren Sweetnam for their Munster Hurling Championship opener against Tipperary due to a clash with the Leaving Certificate.

Sweetnam, who has made a huge impression for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork senior side in the league this spring, sits his first exams on June 6, the same day as Fitzgerald’s side face Tipperary in their provincial opener at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Fitzgerald was speaking after seeing his side defeat the Laois senior hurlers in a challenge match yesterday in Lisnahorna, White’s Cross, where the Brian Dillon’s GAA club’s new facility was officially opened by GAA President Christy Cooney.

“It’s unfortunate as Darren’s a great prospect,” said Fitzgerald.

“But, to be fair to him, we’ve known for a good while and we have to plan that way.

“You have to respect him concentrating on the exams.”

Cork proved far too strong in this match for a Laois side, who were missing a series of first-choice players through injury.

The Teddy McCarthy-managed outfit face Wexford in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1Brelegation final next Sunday but were overwhelmed here by Cork’s attacking strength.

Senior stars Jamie Coughlan and Conor Lehane were both extremely impressive in the first half but Brian Murray, a recent Fitzgibbon Cup winner with UCC, was the star as he raised three green flags over the hour and hit one memorable goal before half-time when he doubled on the ball superbly in the air.

Brian Dillon’s club chairman Noel Keohane expressed his delight with the day’s proceedings.

Scorers for Cork: B Murray 3-0, J Coughlan 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 ’65), C Lehane, E O’Sullivan 1-1 each, D Brosnan 0-2, N Kelly, D Lordan (0-1f), C Murphy, 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: W Hyland 0-5 (3fs), J Walsh, M Whelan (1 65), D Peacock, S Burke, C Murra 0-1 each.

CORK: S Nyhan; P O’Mahony, D Rodgers, P O’Brien; C Spillane, K Kavanagh, C Joyce; D O’Mahony, N Kelly; Dean Brosnan, D Lordan, C Lehane; J Coughlan, B Murray, E O’Sullivan.

Subs: K Buckley for P O’Mahony (ht), P Crowley for O’Brien (40), C Murphy for Kelly (40), M Howard for Lehane (40), R O’Shea for Coughlan (40), S O’Mahony for D O’Mahony (45), K Burke for Kavanagh (47), F O’Mahony for Spillane (47), T Lawrence for Dean Brosnan (54), Darragh Brosnan for Joyce (54), C Barry for Rodgers (57).

LAOIS: E O’Reilly; M Meade, D Maher, C Coonan; B Smith, M Whelan, S Burke; J Fitzpatrick, J Walsh, D Peacock, W Hyland, D O’Mahony; W Dunphy, M Meade, C Murray.

Subs: D Hanlon for O’Reilly (ht), W Young for Meade (53).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork).