Munster Hurling League: Cork named team with Bríon Saunderson set to make first start

Goalkeeper Bríon Saunderson will make his first senior start for Cork in Sunday’s Co-op SuperStores Munster Hurling League clash against Limerick at Mallow (2pm).

The Midleton custodian excelled in last year’s All-Ireland U20 victory and then produced some fine displays as the Magpies reached the final of the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC final. While they lost to Sarsfields in an all-East Cork final, Saunderson kept a clean sheet and for his displays in the latter stages of the competition – he missed the first two matches – he was named in the Reardens All-Star hurling team.

For the past two seasons, Ballinhassig brothers Patrick and Ger Collins have been the two goalkeepers on the Cork championship panel, with Patrick Collins on the substitutes’ bench for Sunday. Blackrock’s Gavin Connolly featured in the early part of last season and now Saunderson will look to stake his claim.

Saunderson is one of six members of the Cork starting 15 to have played against the Rebels for UCC in last Saturday’s Canon O’Brien Cup tie at the Mardyke.

Robert Downey is named at full-back with Ger Millerick at corner-back while Cormac O’Brien is chosen at left half-back. Brian Hayes and Robbie Cotter are in the full-forward line.

They are joined there by Jack O’Connor, who, along with Conor O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Connell, Eoin Carey, Seán Twomey, Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston, began for Cork against UCC.

Captain Seán O’Donoghue had been named for that game but was kept on the bench as a precaution as he returned from illness. He has been cleared to start at number 4 while Darragh Fitzgibbon comes into midfield alongside Kilworth’s Carey.

After Sunday’s match, Clare take on Limerick at Clarecastle on Wednesday night at 7pm and then it’s back to Mallow on Sunday, January 14 for the meeting of Cork and Clare. The top team in the three-team group after that will advance to the final a week later to take on the winner of the group comprising Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

CORK (Munster HL v Limerick): Bríon Saunderson (Midleton); Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra, captain); Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); Eoin Carey (Kilworth), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville); Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Shane Kingston (Douglas); Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), Robbie Cotter (Blackrock). Subs: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Daniel Harrington (Fr O’Neills), Dáire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), Sam Quirke (Midleton), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Cormac Beausang (Midleton), Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills).