Cork hurlers opt for veteran midfielder in pivotal centre-back berth in Munster League against Waterford

Fri, 27 Dec, 2019 - 21:45

Eamonn Murphy

BILL Cooper is named at centre-back for the Cork hurlers' trip to Dungarvan on Sunday for the second round of Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League.

The Rebels are in experimental mode ahead of the league proper, with Aidan Walsh selected at midfield alongside fellow Kanturk club man Ryan Walsh, and young guns Sean O'Leary Hayes and Eoghan Murphy in the corner-back slots.

Ryan Walsh of Cork in action during the Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League tie. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

The deployment of Cooper at number six has been mooted in recent months given Cork's issues in defence and the experience Youghal and Imokilly midfielders abrasiveness. Chris O'Leary and Tim O'Mahony are on the wings in what is a teak-tough half-back unit on paper.

If Kieran Kingston's charges beat Waterford they'll progress to the final, having already defeated Kerry at Mallow in the run-up to Christmas.

Shane Kingston of Cork in action against Fionan Mackessy of Kerry. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Shane Kingston was the top-scorer on that occasion but isn't picked here, though Robbie O'Flynn, U20 graduate Seán Twomey and Michael O'Halloran all retain their positions.

Conor Lehane is down as centre-forward, though he didn't appear against Kerry having been originally slated to start.

It Waterford new boss Liam Cahill's first game at the helm and he'll be familiar with many of the young Rebels having managed Tipp to minor, U21 and U20 All-Ireland titles.

He'll be without the Ballygunner contingent after their Munster club hurling exploits. Stephen Bennett, Patrick Curran, Jake Dillon and Kevin Moran will feature, along with Lismore's Iarlaith Daly, who hurled for Christians in the Harty Cup final last spring.

The game will start at 2pm.

Robbie O'Flynn of Cork and his team-mates warm up before playing Kerry. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

CORK (v Waterford):

1. Ger Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Sean O'Leary Hayes (Midleton), 3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas), 4. Eoghan Murphy (Sarsfields)

5. Chris O'Leary (Valley Rovers), 6. Bill Cooper (Youghal), 7. Tim O'Mahony (Newtownshandrum)

8. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk), 9. Ryan Walsh (Kanturk)

10. Robbie O'Flynn (Erin's Own), 11. Conor Lehane (Midleton), 12. Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers)

13. Luke Meade (Newcestown), 14. Michael O’Halloran (Blackrock), 15. Jack O'Connor (Sarsfields)

SUBS: 16. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), 17. Conor O'Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), 18. Damian Cahalane (St Finbarr's), 19. David Lowney (Clonakilty), 20. Niall O'Leary (Castlelyons), 21. Tommy O'Connell (Midleton), 22. Shane O'Regan (Watergrasshill), 23. Brian Turnbull (Douglas), 24. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita's), 25. Sean O Donoghue (Inniscarra).