Cork boss Ricken hands debuts to five Rebel rookies

The entire half forward line will be making their first inter-county appearance in the National League

Fri, 28 Jan, 2022 - 12:51

Tony Leen

Cork have gone with a fresh-faced half-forward line for their opening Allianz League trip to Roscommon, with new manager Keith Ricken handing out five competitive debuts in all for Sunday's game in Dr Hyde Park.

The half forward line of Daniel O'Connell (Kanturk), Blake Murphy (St Vincent's), and Newcestown's David Buckley has a particularly callow look to it with two debutants and Murphy having only played a handful of minutes against Kildare in last year's corresponding campaign. However, all three did play against Kerry in last Saturday's McGrath Cup final. A fourth attacker, Mark Cronin, will also be making a first Allianz League start.

Ricken's squad will be on the road for four of their seven ties in Division 2, with Sunday's opener looking like one of the toughest on paper. Eire Óg's John Cooper makes his debut at centre back having done well in Killarney, while midfielder Joe Grimes (Clonakilty) continues his rapid rise from club to inter-county. He will be partnered by Eire Og's Colm O'Callaghan.

Experienced attacker John O'Rourke returns to the bench, where there are also spots for Dunmanway's Mark Buckley and Iveleary's Chris Og Jones.

CORK (Div 2 v Roscommon): M Martin; S Powter, S Meehan, T Corkery; C Kiely, J Cooper, M Taylor; J Grimes, C O’Callaghan; D O’Connell, B Murphy, D Buckley; M Cronin, B Hurley, D Dineen.

Subs: C Kelly, K Flahive, P Allen, P Ring, R Maguire, S Merrit, J O’Rourke, E McSweeney, M Buckley, K O’Donovan, C Óg Jones.

MAYO (Div 1 v Donegal): R Hennelly; L Keegan, S Coen, 4. P O’Hora; P Durcan, D McHugh, E Mc Laughlin; C O’ Shea, C Loftus; F McDonagh, A Orme, D O Connor; T Conroy, J Doherty, R O’Donoghue

Subs: R Byrne, S Callinan, B Harrison, M Plunkett, R Keane, A O’ Shea, J Flynn, P Ruttledge, B Walsh, P Towey, F Irwin