Cahalane gets chance to impress for Rebels

Damien Cahalane is the most notable inclusion in the Cork football side for Sunday’s McGrath Cup game with Cork IT.

Cahalane, son of double All-Ireland-winner Niall, was a member of the Cork hurling panel last year and made his senior debut in the All-Ireland qualifier win over Wexford.

Having impressed during Castlehaven’s successful county SFC campaign last year, he has been named at left corner-back.

Other new faces on the team are right corner-back John McLoughlin, a brother of hurler Lorcán, and Odhran Mulrooney at left half-forward.

Castletownbere’s Andrew O’Sullivan has been recalled to the panel and partners Pearse O’Neill at midfield. Michael Shields, Colm O’Neill, Paul Kerrigan and Alan O’Connor — named at full-forward — are other more familiar names, with Paudie Kissane, Noel O’Leary and Donncha O’Connor on the bench.

Like Cork, Kerry have named an experimental side for their clash with IT Tralee in Killarney.

While most of the Dr Crokes contingent — as well as Finuge’s Paul Galvin — are unavailable due to All-Ireland club championship commitments, Johnny Buckley captains the side from midfield, where he is partnered by Kieran Donaghy.

Corner-back Fionn Fitzgerald and Brian Looney at 13 are other Crokes players to feature, and Brian Kelly, U21 goalkeeper in 2011, takes his place between the sticks.

Jack Sherwood, U21 last year, is named at centre-back while Mike ‘Stam’ O’Donoghue of Spa is at left half-forward. Paul O’Connor of Kenmare is named among the substitutes.

Meanwhile, new Meath manager Mick O’Dowd has taken a gamble for his first competitive fixture, installing key forward Joe Sheridan at midfield.

O’Dowd has confirmed an experimental side for the Royal County’s O’Byrne Cup opener against Longford in Ballymahon.

Sheridan’s Seneschalstown club mate, David Lyons, has got the nod in goals.

Young Player of the Year nominee Donal Keogan is positioned at full-back while there are starts for Caolan Young and Dalton McDonagh.

CORK (McGrath Cup SF v Cork IT): D Lordan (Ballincollig); J McLoughlin (Kanturk), M Shields (St Finbarr’s), D Cahalane (Castlehaven); D O’Sullivan (Ballinascarthy), C O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers), S Kiely (Macroom); P O’Neill (Aghada), A O’Sullivan (Castletownbere); J Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers), P Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers), O Mulrooney (Douglas); C O’Neill (Balyclough), A O’Connor (St Colum’s), L Shorten (Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh). Subs: K O’Halloran (Bishopstown), P Kissane (Clyda Rovers), S Beston (Mitchelstown), N O’Leary (Cill na Martra), C O’Donovan (Valley Rovers), D O’Connor (Ballydesmond).

KERRY (McGrath Cup SF v Tralee IT): B Kelly (Legion); F Fitzgerald, (Dr Crokes), M Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht), S Enright (Tarbert); J Lyne (Legion), J Sherwood (Firies), K Young (Renard); K Donaghy (Austin Stacks), J Buckley (Dr Crokes, captain); M Geaney (Dingle), D O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), M O’Donoghue (Spa); B Looney (Dr Crokes), P Curtin (Moyvane), P Geaney (Dingle). Subs: B Kealy (Kilcummin), T Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht), D Culhane (Ballylongford), P O’Connor (Kenmare), BJ Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys), A Garnett (Spa).

MEATH (O’Byrne Cup SF v Longford): D Lyons; C Young, D Keogan, D Dalton; C Rowe, E Harrington, S Crosbie; C Gillespie, J Sheridan; P Gilsenan, D Carroll, J Queeney; D McDonagh, P Byrne, M Newman.

MONAGHAN (McKenna Cup SF v St Mary’s University College): R Beggan; D Mone, F Kelly, K Duffy; M McElroy, D Hughes, C O’Connell; D Clerkin, N McAdam; S Smith, P McArdle, O Duffy; P Donaghy, C McManus, D Malone.