Cork U20 hurling boss Furlong confirms panel ahead of Munster championship throw-in

The Rebels begin their provincial campaign away to Clare this Wednesday evening.

STEPPING UP: All-Ireland minor-winning manager Noel Furlong takes charge of Cork's U20s this term. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

The Cork U20 hurling panel for the upcoming Munster championship contains eight players that featured in last year’s U20 provincial final defeat to Tipperary.

Ahead of their Munster round-robin opener away to Clare this Wednesday evening, new Cork manager Noel Furlong has released his 30-man panel for the provincial campaign.

Captain Denis Cashman and vice-captain Barry Walsh are two of the four panelists that began last year’s Munster U20 final loss to Tipp. The two other starters from that game still eligible for U20 are Ben Walsh and Timmy Wilk.

The four Cork subs introduced in the 2024 Munster U20 decider - James O’Brien (Fermoy), Adam O’Sullivan, Ross O’Sullivan, and Barry O’Flynn - are all part of the 2025 set-up.

Douglas’ Mark O’Brien and Mallow's John Murphy are the two members of the 2024 Cork minor team to step up to the U20 grade in their first year out of minor.

Three years ago, at minor level, 13 of the panel named today were part of the matchday 24 that lost to Clare in the Munster semi-final.

Furlong, who oversaw Cork’s 2021 All-Ireland minor final win, has succeeded Ben O’Connor in the U20 gig. His backroom team includes Dónal Óg Cusack, Tadhg Óg Murphy, Vincent Hurley, and Seán Guiheen.

The Munster U20 championship throws in on Tuesday evening. Title-holders Tipp are at home to Limerick (Semple Stadium, 7pm). Cork travel to Sixmilebridge on Wednesday to face Clare, also at 7pm.

Same as last year, the team top of the pile at the end of the round-robin progresses direct to the Munster final. The second and third-placed teams will meet in a semi-final.

CORK U20 HURLING PANEL: Adam O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Barry Walsh (Killeagh, vice-captain), Ben Walsh (Killeagh), Bill Collins (Newtownshandrum), Carthaigh Cronin (Midleton), Cian Dunphy (Erin’s Own), Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), Daniel Murnane (Carrigtwohill), Daniel O’Connell (Dromina), David O’Leary (Ballincollig), Denis Cashman (Bride Rovers, captain), Dylan McCarthy (Killeagh), Eoin Guinane (Valley Rovers), James O’Brien (Cloyne), James O’Brien (Fermoy), John Murphy (Mallow), John Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr’s), Johnny Murphy (Dromina), Johnny Galvin (Éire Óg), Mark O’Brien (Douglas), Matthew Barrett (Carrigtwohill), Oisín Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s), Oisín Walsh (Youghal), Peter O’Shea (Erin’s Own), Ross O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Ryan Deasy (Ballymartle), Sean O’Neill (Ballincollig), Timmy Wilk (Cobh), Zach Biggane (Charleville).