McGrath Cup: Cork name strong team for Clare encounter

DARRAGH Cashman will make his first competitive start for the Cork senior football team in Wednesday’s opening McGrath Cup encounter against Clare in Clarecastle at 7pm.

The Millstreet player won an All-Ireland minor medal back in 2019 and was joint captain of the Rebels U20s in 2022. The dynamic defender continued his progression last year as he was a key player for UL as they reached the Sigerson Cup final, beaten by UCC after extra time. Cashman impressed for his club at premier junior level in 2023 in particular in the last group stage match against Kinsale played in Cloughduv, with Cork boss John Cleary an interested spectator amongst the large crowd as Millstreet won a cracker. The Duhallow side were beaten by Urhan in the quarter-final. Cashman was involved in last month’s Teddy McCarthy tribute game as the Rebels beat Meath.

Patrick Doyle is between the sticks for the second consecutive game having played 56 minutes in the Meath victory in December. Colm O’Callaghan, so impressive for Cork last season, is in midfield with Kanturk’s Paul Walsh.

Carbery Rangers’ John O’Rourke starts at half-forward, with David Buckley named at corner-forward with the Newcestown marksman coming off the back of a majestic 2023 campaign as he helped his club win the Bon Secours Hospital SAFC crown.

Blake Murphy kicked 1-5 (0-5 f) in the victory over Meath last month and the St Vincent’s sharpshooter gets the nod to start at corner-forward in this one.

Carrigaline’s Callum Dungan, the county’s minor and U20 netminder in the past is sub goalkeeper while his fellow club mate Jack McCarthy is also named on the bench. Seán Meehan is back after suffering an injury in the win over Louth in the All-Ireland Group 1 battle last May, with the Kiskeam man in reserve for Wednesday's contest. Luke Fahy is also among the subs. The Ballincollig defender suffered an injury in the victory over Roscommon in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final last June.

CORK (v Clare):

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree);

Kevin Flahive (Douglas), Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Mattie Taylor (Mallow, capt);

Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Thomas Clancy (Clonakilty), Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh);

Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Paul Walsh (Kanturk);

Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys), John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers);

David Buckley (Newcestown), Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers), Blake Murphy (St Vincent’s).

Subs:

Callum Dungan (Carrigaline), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam), Neil Lordan (Ballinora), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig), Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues), Damien Gore (Kilmacabea), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers).