Robbie O'Flynn returns as Cork name hurling team for Teddy McCarthy match

Robbie O’Flynn will make his return to Cork colours as part of a strong Rebels side for Saturday’s Teddy McCarthy tribute match against Galway at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (5pm).

The Erin’s Own star’s last inter-county action of the 2023 season came in early May as he sustained a hamstring injury in scoring a goal against Tipperary in the Munster SHC game at the Páirc.

While he missed the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC campaign, O’Flynn was able to come off the substitutes’ bench for the Glounthaune club’s second team in the Premier JHC semi-final against Barryroe and final win over St Catherine’s.

O’Flynn is named at right corner-forward, alongside Seán Twomey of Courcey Rovers at number 14, with the other corner occupied by Jack O’Connor – the Sarsfields man is given the honour of captaining the team on the night that his great clubman is honoured.

Of the starting 15, ten started during Cork’s Munster championship campaign. Patrick Collins is in goal while regular captain Seán O’Donoghue is in the full-back line alongside Conor O’Callaghan of Dromtarriffe and Bride Rovers’ Eoin Roche.

Tommy O’Connell, who carried his good Cork form into the county championship, excelling as Midleton reached the final, is at centre-back, flanked by Ger Millerick and Cormac O’Brien. Brian Roche, who established himself as a starter this year, partners Luke Meade at midfield, while the half-forward line is composed of Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Brian Hayes. 

The St Finbarr’s man didn’t start for Cork in the championship but was brought on in three of the matches, scoring an important goal to help earn a draw at home to Tipperary.

Séamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan are named among the subs, with newcomers including another Sars man, Cathal McCarthy, who was so prominent in their run to country glory, Fr O’Neills half-back Daniel Harrington and midfielder Eoin Carey, who impressed for both Kilwroth and divisional side Avondhu in 2023.

Also among the subs are goalkeeper Ger Collins, Robert Downey, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Robbie Cotter, Cormac Beausang and Ethan Twomey.

Damien and Conor Cahalane are unavailable due to Castlehaven's AIB Munster Club SFC final against Dingle at the weekend.

· For information and tickets, see www.gaacork.ie/teddymac

CORK (SH v Galway): 

Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); 

Conor O'Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Seán O'Donoghue (Inniscarra); 

Ger Millerick (Fr O'Neills), Tommy O'Connell (Midleton), Cormac O'Brien (Newtownshandrum); 

Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Luke Meade (Newcestown); 

Conor Lehane (Midleton), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s); 

Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers), Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields, captain). 

Subs: 

Ger Collins (Ballinhassig), Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields), Daniel Harrington (Fr O'Neills), Eoin Carey (Kilworth), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Robbie Cotter (Blackrock), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Cormac Beausang (Midleton), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s).