Cork must build on a ‘powerful’ tradition, says Anthony Spillane

Cork U21 star Anthony Spillane admits that the county carry an extra weight of expectation at underage level, based on tradition.

Spillane is one of two senior panellists, along with goalkeeper Patrick Collins, to be selected on the Rebels’ side for tomorrow’s Munster U21HC quarter-final with Waterford in Páirc Ui Rinn (7.30pm). Cork haven’t won a provincial title at the grade since 2007 and are nearly 17 years without an All-Ireland but the Castlelyons forward admits the expectations bring pressure.

“Even when I was young going to matches, the expectation is for Cork to win, with the county so big,” he says.