Cork underage hurlers get behind poc fada to raise big funds for Marymount

FOR the second year in a row, the Cork underage hurlers raised a huge amount in aid of Marymount.

A poc fada from Leamlara Cross to Lisgoold GAA club organised by minor selector Mike Mulcahy generated a staggering €11,806, following on from the €8,000 handed over last year. 

The 2024 Cork U16 and U17 extended panels took part in the event which was a great bonding exercise for the squads as well as contributing to a very worthy cause.

Cork minor boss John Meyler and his backroom team featuring Mulcahy, Seanie McGrath, Vincie Hurley, Peter Skyes and Pádraig O'Sullivan have been busy across the winter months prepping the squad for the Munster round robin which commences in April.

Fergal McCormack, All-Ireland winning centre-forward on the 1999 Rebel side alongside McGrath, is currently working with next season's U16s.

While minor has reverted to U18 at club level on Leeside, the grade remains set at U17 for inter-county hurlers and footballers, a change that was introduced in 2018. A number of prominent counties, including Cork, have pushed for a restoration of the U18 tier with decoupling from adult competitions but a consensus has not been reached.

The minor group stages in Munster run from April 4 to May 9 with the top two counties into the provincial final on May 16. Last season Cork reached the decider but were defeated by Clare and subsequently lost to a strong Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

An exceptionally strong Rebel outfit powered to an All-Ireland title in 2021, captained by Ben O'Connor and James Dwyer, with the bulk of that crop landing the U20 trophy last summer.

Tipperary, who Cork travel to in their first fixture, appear to be the county to beat at minor next term.

MINOR FIXTURES:

April 4: Tipperary v Cork;

April 11: Cork v Limerick;

April 25: Waterford v Cork;

May 9: Cork v Clare.

May 16: Munster final.