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.