McCarthy expects tough test

Since 2005, any year ending in an odd number has seen Cork claim the Munster and All-Ireland junior football titles.

With players from the champions sitting out the following year’s campaign, the Rebels have been able to call on those from 2011 again and have made a good start in Munster, beating Limerick and Waterford.

Tonight, they aim to add another provincial title as they face Waterford in Dungarvan (7.30pm) but manager Paul McCarthy knows a tough battle lies ahead.

“You can’t expect to just go out and win,” he said. “It’s fairly simple from our point of view, if we don’t perform, then we won’t win, but as a management team we have confidence in our side.

“The lads who are in there have earned the right to start, they’ve won the two games they have played so it’s a vote of confidence in them but they’re being pushed hard.”

As well as players with prior junior experience, Cork have Eoin O’Mahony and Seán Kiely, who were on the senior panel until recently, as well as up-and-coming stars.

“It’s a huge help,” McCarthy said. “There’s a blend of a few lads who were on the senior panel until recently, then there are a lot who were involved two years ago and there are some excellent young players too.

“The likes of David Hanrahan, David Harrington and Cathal Vaughan have all done well.”

There is an element of the unknown though with tonight’s opponents.

“There’s no doubt that they’re going to be tough. Tipperary beat Kerry, and I suppose, like a lot of people, I thought Tipp would reach the Munster final then, especially coming into the Waterford match with a game behind them and Waterford hadn’t.

“They can pick players who are playing senior club football and Waterford clubs have shown in the Munster championship that they can compete. We’re going to Dungarvan and home advantage will always be a factor.”

CORK (JF v Waterford): D Hanrahan (Douglas); AJ O’Connor (Kiskeam), E O’Mahony (Macroom), K Harrington (Bantry Blues); Richard O’Sullivan (Kinsale), Rory O’Sullivan (Argideen Rgrs), S Kiely (Macroom); R Deane (Bantry Blues), M Ó Laoire (Naomh Abán); C Vaughan (Iveleary), A O’Brien (Kildorrery), C O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCárthaigh); E Buckley (St Michael’s), F Lynch (Valley Rovers), D Harrington (Adrigole).

Waterford (JF v Cork): T Wall (Nire); P Crowley (St Saviours); B Prendergast (Kilrossanty); S Lannon (Stradbally); C Buckley(Bonmahon); E Rockett (Stradbally); J O’Mahony (Ballinacourty); B Phelan (Ballinameela); S Prendergast (Kilrossanty); D Guiry (Nire); B McGarr (Kilrossanty); D Grey (Stradbally); J Wall (Colligan); G Crotty (Dungarvan); D Power (Kilrossanty).