Already tested Tipp provide first examination of Cork's potency

What Cork lack in championship game time this spring, they make up for in Munster football pedigree.

Tue, 09 Apr, 2024 - 18:30

Shane Donovan

Tipperary will run out onto the Fethard Town Park turf on Wednesday night having played three competitive outings to date.

Wins over Clare and Waterford, along with a draw against Limerick have bought them progression into phase 2 of the newly-structured Munster under-20 football championship.

Clare were the other benefactors from phase 1, who fill out the four team round-robin group alongside an already waiting Cork and Kerry.

What Cork lack in championship game time this spring, they make up for in Munster football pedigree.

Now managed by Éire Óg club man Ray O'Mahony, who has stepped up from the minor grade, Cork have reached each and every Munster final going back as far as 2011, winning seven of those provincial deciders.

O'Mahony has promoted six of his minor charges to his under-20 ranks for 2024, two of whom - Bantry Blues' Dara Sheedy and Mallow's Gearoid Daly - start in on Wednesday night.

Captain Hugh O'Connor, Dan Twomey, Olan Corcoran, Niall Kelly and Ross Corkery remain from last year's 1-6 to 2-12 under-20 Munster final defeat to Tomás Ó Sé's Kerry.

O'Connor and West Cork duo Twomey and Corcoran were starters, while Kelly and Corkery - son of former senior star Colin - made appearances off the bench.

The latter pair are kept in reserve once again on this occasion.

The aforementioned Sheedy, O'Connor and Corcoran form a potent forward line that also includes proven scorer Bryan Hayes of Nemo, Munster club championship-winning Castlehaven link man Jack O'Neill and Ed Myers of Naomh Abán.

Cork and Castlehaven's Jack O'Neill. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Stopping Kerry's three-in-a-row tilt will be right at the top of O'Mahony's to do list. No doubt he'd prefer that mission to kick-off with victory in Fethard.

CORK (U20 FC v Tipperary): M O'Connell (St Michael's); D Twomey (Ballinascarthy), S O'Connell (Kilshannig), M Óg O'Sullivan (Bantry Blues); C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), D Buckley (Douglas), G Daly (Mallow); D O'Brien (Glanworth), R O'Shaughnessy (St Michael's); B Hayes (Nemo Rangers), H O'Connor (C, Newmarket), J O'Neill (Castlehaven); O Corcoran (St Mary's), E Myers (Naomh Abán), D Sheehy (Bantry Blues).

Subs: A Mannix (Dohenys), F Leahy (St Michael's), S Copps (Mallow), R Kavanagh (St Michael's), N Kelly (Newcestown), M McSweeney (Knocknagree), L O'Herlihy (St Michael's), A O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue), R Corkery (Nemo Rangers).

TIPPERARY (U20 FC v Cork): R McGrath (Galtee Rovers); J O’Neill (Ardfinnan), E O’Connell (Loughmore Castleiney), M Corcoran (Clonmel Commercials); C King (Ballina), S O’Meara (Grangemockler Ballyneale), D O’Brien (Aherlow); J Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), E Doocey (Arravale Rovers); T Charles (Clonmel Commercials), J Lawrence (Rockwell Rovers), M Freaney (Kilsheelan Kilcash); O Jones (Arravale Rovers), C Grogan (Galtee Rovers), S Ryan (Ardfinnan).

Subs: S Ryan (Clonmel Commercials), K Butler (Moyle Rovers), B Carey (Ballylooby Castlegrace), D Hogan (St. Patrick's), D O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials), T O’Connor (Kilsheelan Kilcash), P O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers), C Smith (Clonmel Commercials), D Spillane (Fethard).

KERRY (U20 FC v Clare): M Tansley (Austin Stacks); R Diggin (Laune Rangers), D O’Callaghan (Kilcummin), G Evans (Keel); E Healy (Listowel Emmets), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), C Lynch (Glenflesk); R Stack (C, Beale), D Kirby (Austin Stacks); E Boyle (Ballyduff), O Ferris (Ardfert), C Keating (Dr Crokes); C Dillon (Duagh), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), A Crowley (Templenoe).

Subs: J Hoare (Dingle), P Lane (Austin Stacks), I O’Sullivan (St Michael’s, Foilmore), A Segal (Ballyduff), F Murphy (Rathmore), R Colleran (Fossa), L Evans (Keel), J Kelliher (Glenflesk), L Crowley (Glenflesk).