Pressure rising as Rebels on a roll

Two months ago, a performance is all that was demanded of the Cork senior hurlers. Two months on, expectation levels have been dramatically altered. And John Meyler’s U21s are no exception.

It might be 2014 since last Cork contested a Munster U21 final and a further seven years back since the provincial title was last captured, but given the recent success of the Cork U17s, minors, and seniors, there’s pressure on the U21s to continue what has so far been a pretty decent summer on Leeside.

Similar to Kieran Kingston’s side, the U21s open their provincial campaign away to the All-Ireland champions. But given John Meyler’s group contains a dozen members of the county’s Munster-winning senior squad, the pessimism which surrounded Cork’s trip to Thurles on May 21 won’t be found on the journey to Walsh Park.