Munster U20FC: Cork make three changes for Kerry battle

CORK U20 football manager Ray O’Mahony has made three changes to the starting 15 which defeated Tipperary last week for Wednesday’s EirGrid Munster football championship tussle against Kerry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm.

The Rebels were too strong for the Premier County last Wednesday in Fethard Town Park winning on a scoreline of 0-14 to 0-7 in phase 2 round 1 of the provincial championship. 

Mallow’s Sam Copps comes in for his club colleague Gearóid Daly at wing-back, Knocknagree's Michael McSweeney replaces Rory O’Shaughnessy in the middle of the park. O’Shaughnessy impressed in the win over Tipperary, kicking 0-3, but is ruled out of the Kerry game due to an injury.

The final change is in the forward department with Aghabullogue’s Aaron O’Sullivan, who landed a point when introduced last week, coming in for Jack O’Neill at wing-forward. With O’Shaughnessy out injured, Éire Óg’s Darragh Clifford has been added to what is a strong bench for Wednesday’s battle with the Kingdom.

Kerry also started the campaign with a victory as they came through wet and wild conditions in Quilty to defeat home side Clare, 1-13 to 0-5.

Both of the great rivals know a win for either team on Wednesday will put one foot in the Munster final. It’s the first of two games between Cork and Kerry this week with the senior teams locking horns on Saturday in the Munster championship semi-final in Killarney at 4pm.

The U20s last game of the round-robin format is another home match when Clare come to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Wednesday (24th) with throw-in at 7pm.

CORK (v Kerry):

Mikey O'Connell (St Michael’s);

Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy), Shane O’Connell (Kilshannig), Mark Óg O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues);

Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers), David Buckley (Douglas), Sam Copps (Mallow);

Darragh O’Brien (Glanworth), Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree);

Bryan Hayes (Nemo Rangers), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket, capt), Aaron O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue); 

Olan Corcoran (St Mary’s), Ed Myers (Naomh Abán), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues).

Subs:

Aaron Mannix (Dohenys), Fionnán Leahy (St Michael’s), Gearóid Daly (Mallow), Rory Kavanagh (St Michael’s), Niall Kelly (Newcestown), Darragh Clifford (Éire Óg), Luke O’Herlihy (St Michael’s), Jack O’Neill (Castlehaven), Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers).