Fergal McCormack spreads net wide for Cork minors

Fergal McCormack of the Cork hurling jubilee 1999 All Ireland winning team before the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final between Clare and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

New Cork manager Fergal McCormack has spread the net far and wide selecting players from 14 different clubs in his starting 15 for Friday night’s opening round of the Electric Ireland Munster MHC against Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds (7pm).

Na Piarsaigh are the sole club with two Cork starters in attackers Craig O’Sullivan and Callum Coffey - both of whom played starring roles for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG in reaching the Dr. Harty Cup semi-final and recently in ending a 34-year wait for the Dr. O’Callaghan Cup.

Having been victorious in only two of their four games last year, Cork were placed third in Munster and went on to compete in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final, losing to Wexford (2-16 to 1-10).

Management are able to call upon four survivors from the 2024 season in Colm Garde (Lisgoold), Eoghan O’Shea (Ballinhassig), Michael Tadhg Brosnan (Glen Rovers) and Cormac Deane (Killeagh), with Michael Tadhg Brosnan winner of the Christy Ring Trophy for the most accomplished U16 hurler in Cork last year.

Dromina’s Bobby Carroll is captain and the vice-captain is Ruairc Donovan from Fermoy.

Dónal O’Grady, who was previously a senior selector with John Kiely, has taken over the Limerick hot seat from Shane Dowling and he will look for a better return than 12 months ago when the Shannonsiders fell short in all four championship outings, including a six point defeat to the Rebels at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Ten different clubs feature in their starting line-out and they are captained by Na Piarsaigh’s David O’Keeffe, who will play alongside three of his club mates Marcus Murphy, Danny Sheehan and Shane Waters, while Paul Murphy from Castletown/Ballyagran is vice-captain.

Tipperary have six survivors from last year's All-Ireland winning panel in their line-up to take on Waterford in FBD Semple Stadium (7pm). James Woodlock retains Euan Murray, Kieran Rossiter, Patrick Hackett, Paul Cummins, Jack Cahill, and Paddy McCormack. 

CORK: T C Walsh (Aghada); D Heavin (Russell Rovers), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), C Lawton (Midleton); M T Brosnan (Glen Rovers), B Carroll (Dromina, Capt), C Garde (Lisgoold); T A Walsh (Carrigtwohill), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); R Donovan (Fermoy, V-Capt), C Deane (Killeagh), R Dineen (Erin’s Own); C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig).

Subs: C Galvin (Sarsfields), T O’Flynn (Sarsfields), D Forde (Kinsale), E Connolly (Dungourney), E Hogan (Éire Óg), D Winters (Courcey Rovers), C Hanratty (Carrigaline), S Coughlan (Passage), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

LIMERICK: M Murphy (Na Piarsaigh); S Carroll (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), E Ryan (South Liberties), J Dwane (Kilmallock); K McCarthy (Glenroe), G Thompson (St. Kierans), M Hanly (Ballybricken/ Bohermore); E Hennessy (Patrickswell), D O’Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh, Capt); D Sheehan (Na Piarsaigh), P Murphy (Castletown/Ballyagran, V-Capt), R Hanly (Ballybricken/ Bohermore); S Waters (Na Piarsaigh), C Dennehy (Glenroe), K Begley (Mungret/St. Pauls).

Subs: S Collins (Crecora/Manister), P Collins (Tournafulla), S Fitzgerald (Murroe/Boher), D Crowe (Doon), A Kerins (Na Piarsaigh), R Foley (Patrickswell), S Óg Cahill Hayes (Croom), G O’Brien (Kilmallock), R Horgan (Murroe/Boher).

TIPPERARY: P McCormack (Monegall); F Perry (Moyle Rovers), K Fitzpatrick (Newport), C Collins (Galtee Rovers); D Hennessy (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone); P Hackett (Toomevara), S Cooney (Clerihan); K Rossiter Durlas Og); C Kennedy (Clonoulty); P O'Shea (JK Brackens), E Murray (Durlas Og), P Cummins (Ballybacon); J Cahill (Ballingarry), T O'Meara (Kilruane), C Morrisson (Moyle Rovers)

Subs: E Magee (Cahir), D Barry (Fethard), J Cilvinas (Arravale Rov), d Doyle (Killenaule), C Dunne (Gortnahoe), J McGonigle (Rockwell), T McLoughlin (Cahir), D O'Callaghan (Cashel), P O'Dywer (Upperchurch)

WATERFORD: D Duffy (Ballygunner); C Lynch (Geraldines), D Murphy (St Mary's East), D Keane (De La Salle); B Penkert (Mount Sion), H Quann (Lismore), C Power (De La Salle); G O'Shea (St Molleran's), P Quann (Dungarvan); E Burke (Roanmore), J Power (Ballygunner), T Kennedy (Mount Sion); C Spain (Ballygunner), S Power (De La Sallle), J Shanahan (Erin's Own)

Subs: J Teat (Mount Sion), A Walsh (Abbeside Ballinacourty), E McHugh (Roanmore), A Power (Ballygunner), A Cummins (Lismore), J Zelkovic (Tramore), C Reville (Roanmore), D Murphy (Roanmore), S Coffey (Sliabh gCua/St Mary's)