Munster U20FC: Cork name their team for Clare encounter

CORK U20 football manager Ray O’Mahony has made six changes to the starting 15 which lost narrowly to Kerry last week for tomorrow’s EirGrid Munster football championship match against Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm). 

There’s a switch between the sticks with Aaron Mannix replacing Mikey O’Connell. In defence, Gearóid Daly comes in for Mark Óg O’Sullivan. In the middle of the park, Cork are boosted by the return from injury of Rory O’Shaughnessy who will partner Michael McSweeney with Darragh O’Brien going to wing-forward with Bryan Hayes dropping out. The other changes are in attack, Jack O’Neill, Ross Corkery and Dara Sheedy all come in for Aaron O’Sullivan, Olan Corcoran and Luke O’Herlihy.

The Rebels could have easily picked up at least a draw against the Kingdom last Wednesday down the Páirc, but Kerry just had that little bit more quality in the final third as they won on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-11 in phase 2 round 2 of the provincial championship. Maybe there was a little bit of shadow boxing going on as well. The high likelihood is that both teams will meet in the Munster final next Wednesday. 

Kerry are pretty much guaranteed to be in the decider, but the Leesiders have a bit of work to do. A win tomorrow in the final group stage match against Clare will book the Rebels spot in the final.

Clare started their campaign with a home defeat to Kerry as the Banner County lost out on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-5 and last week were beaten by six points by Tipperary which means tomorrow’s game is a dead rubber for them.

In the other game in the group down for decision on Wednesday, Kerry welcome Tipperary to Austin Stack Park in Tralee for a 7pm start. Tipperary have two points on the board and still have a chance of making it to the decider, but it’s a long shot.

CORK (v Clare):

Aaron Mannix (Dohenys);

Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy), Shane O’Connell (Kilshannig), Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers);

Gearóid Daly (Mallow), David Buckley (Douglas), Sam Copps (Mallow);

Rory O’Shaughnessy (St Michael’s), Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree);

Darragh O’Brien (Glanworth), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket, capt), Jack O’Neill (Castlehaven);

Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers), Ed Myers (Naomh Abán), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues).

Subs:

Mikey O’Connell (St Michael’s), Fionnán Leahy (St Michael’s), Mark Óg O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues), Trevor Kiely (Mallow), Aaron O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue), Gearóid Kearney (Kinsale), Luke O’Herlihy (St Michael’s), Darragh Clifford (Éire Óg), Olan O’Donovan (Barryroe).