Ciarán Sheehan starts for Cork footballers against Kerry in McGrath Cup

Sat, 28 Dec, 2019 - 17:15

Eamonn Murphy

ALL-IRELAND winner Ciarán Sheehan is back in the Cork line-up for the first game of the season.

The footballer take on Kerry in the McGrath on Sunday in Tralee, at 2pm, with the Éire Óg club man selected after full-forward following his return from Australia.

Sheehan, who just turned 29, helped the Ovens outfit to the PIFC title after being based Down Under for six years. The Rebels have an experimental team on duty, including U20 prospects Damien Gore, Cathail O'Mahony and Maurice Shanley.

Ciarán Archer of Dublin is tackled by Maurice Shanley of Cork. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Na Piarsaigh's Shane Forde, also a fine hurler, is wing-forward, as is Ryan Harkin who played for the Cork U21s in the 2016 All-Ireland final loss to Mayo.

Another ex-Cork U21 Anthony Casey is in goal, with that position up for grabs since Mark White headed off travelling.

CIT goalkeeper Anthony Casey is tackled by Ballincollig's Pa Kelly. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The Nemo contingent are tied up with an All-Ireland club semi-final against Corofin on January 4 but Ian Maguire offers experience in midfield.

He's partnered by Kanturk's Paul Walsh, while the same club provide Aidan and Ryan Walsh as the centre-field partnership for the hurlers' clash on Sunday with Waterford.

Kerry will be without the core of their first-choice players who are on a team holiday after reaching the All-Ireland final. Cork play Tipp next Thursday and will be expected to win both games and progress to the final.

CORK (v Kerry):

1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)

2. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), 3. Aidan Browne (Newmarket), 4. Nathan Walsh (Douglas)

5. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet), 6. Peter Murphy (Bandon), 7. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)

8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr's), 9. Paul Walsh (Kanturk)

10. Shane Forde (Na Piarsaigh), 11. Sean White (Clonakilty), 12. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)

13. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea), 14. Ciarán Sheehan (Éire Óg), 15. Cathail O'Mahony (Mitchelstown)

SUBS: Joe Creedon (Iveleary), Paul Ring (Aghabullogue), Liam O'Donovan (Clonakilty), Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), Tom Clancy (Clonakilty), Brian Hartnett (Douglas), Mark Collins (Castlehaven), Sean Powter (Douglas), Michael Hurley (Castlehaven), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)