Picking Cork's best 15 heading into the Munster Hurling Championship?

THE biggest positive that Cork hurling fans will have taken from the league this year is the number of opportunities that have been dished out to different players.

It leaves a plethora of combinations available for the championship opener against Waterford, and an impossible choice for the management team.

What is the right team? Is there more than one?

Injuries to key players certainly makes it a more difficult decision – given that it’s almost certain that Mark Coleman, Declan Dalton and Robbie O’Flynn would be starting were they available.

Ethan Twomey and the recently injured Shane Kingston would also be involved in some capacity – so the sooner Cork can get those five back and firing the better.

It’s likely that Ryan will find it hard to go wrong given the amount of talent at his disposal, and his starting fifteen will probably be different from mine, and yours.

The goalkeeping spot will remain in Patrick Collins’ hands for the coming championship season, while Brion Saunderson could potentially take the number 16 jersey from Ger Collins after making his debut earlier in the league.

With Sean O’Donoghue wearing the armband again this year he’s sure to be a starter at corner-back, and depending on how Ryan wants to set up the team, he could be joined by Ger Millerick in the other corner – though it’s probably more likely that the Fr O’Neill’s man will be played in the half-back line.

For full-back, the obvious choice is Damien Cahalane, with the Barrs defender holding down that position for the past few years.

It’s unlikely that Rob Downey will return to the role, and I can’t see Conor O’Callaghan, Cormac O’Brien or Daire O’Leary starting for the opening round of championship.

Niall O’Leary and Eoin Roche would then be contesting the remaining corner back spot with Eoin Downey (assuming Millerick is lining out at wing-back). However, Eoin Downey’s performances both last year and in the league should be enough to get the Glen Rovers’ man a permanent spot for the summer.

When it comes to centre-back there’s no debate – Ciarán Joyce will be one of the first players named on the team sheet, and probably the only constant among everyone’s starting fifteen.

Tim O’Mahony could find it difficult to nail down a starting spot if Millerick is used as a man marker or an additional midfield engine – taking one of the half-back spots. It’s likely Rob Downey has done more than enough to secure the other position given that those long-range strikes could be game changing in tight championship fixtures, not to mention his power, strength and height.

The two midfield positions could be another headache for Ryan – three doesn’t go into two.

Luke Meade, Tommy O’Connell and Darragh Fitzgibbon will be fighting for them, with the latter certain to start. That leaves O’Connell and Meade, with Tommy likely to take the other spot given his pace, and impressive league performances where he wrapped up 280 minutes, the most of any outfield player.

Given that O’Connell’s clubmate Conor Lehane also featured heavily throughout the league, he’ll likely start at centre-forward, operating in the playmaker role he’s thrived in throughout the early months of the year.

That leaves the two wing forward spots, and a battle between Seámus Harnedy, Shane Barrett and Seán Twomey. Harnedy’s experience and power in the air should give him the nod, while the final half-forward position will be a toss-up between Barrett and Twomey.

If Barrett can find his form as he did for Blarney last season he could be a real asset for Cork, but Courcey Rovers’ Seán Twomey will also want to capitalise on Cork’s injuries and make his mark in the championship.

It could go either way.

Alan Connolly’s ridiculous goalscoring form in the league means it’s a no brainer to start him somewhere in the full forward line, and with Shane Kingston and Robbie O’Flynn out he’ll most likely be joined by Jack O’Connor – who has looked really comfortable in that position during the league.

That just leaves the age old debate – is Patrick Horgan’s time up?

The question comes up each year, and he quickly shuts it down. His performance against Limerick last year, despite being 35 years old, is exactly why he has to start.

He can and will change games, whether that’s with frees or by finding the gap to go and get a crucial score.

If the Rebels can avoid any more injuries to key players – it could be a great season for Cork.

BEST STARTING 15 

Patrick Collins;

Eoin Downey, Damien Cahalane, Seán O’Donoghue;

Ger Millerick, Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey;

Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tommy O’Connell;

Shane Barrett, Conor Lehane, Seámus Harnedy;

Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan, Jack O’Connor.