Youthful back-row gives Con edge over Ballymena

IMAGINE Cork Con without spiritual leaders and back-row warriors Ultan O’Callaghan and Jerry Murray.

On Saturday, imagination became reality as a young but talented Con, minus the bulk of O’Callaghan and Murray, swept 2002 AIL champions Ballymena aside on a score of 30-20.

Con fielded a new-look, but formidable back-row of John Maloney, Brendan O’Connor and Brendan Curtriss for the Temple Hill’s side first home AIL game of the season.