Diarmuid Doody lone survivor from 2017 as Rebels face Déise battle

Goalkeeper Diarmuid Doody is the only survivor from last year’s Munster U17 football competition as Cork begin their campaign in the new minor grade tonight against Waterford in Páirc Uí Rinn (throw-in 7pm).

From this year, minor has changed from U18 to U17, and last year provincial and All-Ireland championships were held to cater for those players who would missing out on the minor grade.

With county development squads also playing at U16, the U17 panels were largely confined to players on the age, meaning that Doody, sub goalkeeper last year, was the only Cork panellist who was also playing at U16 level.