MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: As four youngsters step up to the adults’ table, what does it take to stay there?

Cork will start four U21s in today’s Munster SHC clash with Tipperary. How much of a step is it, to go from underage hurling to the big show? asks Michael Moynihan.

Joe Deane was that soldier. In 1995 he starred on Cork’s All-Ireland-winning minor side and the reward was a move upstairs. The senior team.

“Jimmy Barry-Murphy, who’d managed us as minors, took over the seniors and he brought a few of us onto the selection,” recalls Deane.