Ben O'Connor clarifies Barry Walsh decision as U20 campaign kicks off

STARLET: Cork U20 ace Barry Walsh celebrates the Rebels' first goal in Saturday's Allianz HL Division 1A tie at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: David Ribeiro/Inpho

Ben O’Connor has explained the rationale around his inclusion of Barry Walsh in the starting Cork team for last Saturday’s League game against Offaly, four days out from the youngster lining out for the Cork U20s in their Munster opener.

Walsh played the opening 35 minutes in the annihilation of Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night, and was whipped off at half-time in cognisance of Wednesday’s U20 round-robin opener away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary.