Cork hurling: Predicting the league panel for 2025

Sun, 29 Dec, 2024 - 09:14

Jack McKay

The turnaround from the end of the club championship to the return of inter-county hurling is swift. It feels like it’s been quicker this year.

The Cork hurlers will be back in action next week when they take on Waterford.

Granted, it’s a fundraiser in aid of Brian Greene, but the group will be back training together anyway at that stage.

No doubt last year was the best year for Cork hurling in quite some time.

Not just on a results basis – but also in terms of player performance.

Most of the squad performed at their best, which is why this group came so close to winning an All-Ireland.

Naturally, there will of course be changes to the panel and that isn’t always down to player performance. Some will choose to step away, other players will just be unable to find a suitable role within the team.

So of course, there are a few players in the current Cork squad who have that question mark around their place in the team.

CHANGES

Of the experienced crop – I feel there are only two we’re at risk of losing for next season, both for different reasons.

Damien Cahalane and Conor Lehane could be absent from the squad in 2025.

Damien Cahalane. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Despite neither of the two being regular starters last year – both did feature regularly enough to remain part of the squad for 2025. I’ll be surprised if they’re suddenly cut from the 37-man league panel.

With the club season Conor Lehane has just had for Midleton – there’s no reason for Pat Ryan to think he doesn’t still have something to offer.

I can’t see any scenario where Lehane is not playing for Cork next year, unless he chooses to retire from inter-county hurling.

For Cahalane though – it's a little more complex.

Given the dual element and his role as a defender in a squad already stacked in that area – he may opt out or could even be dropped from the squad.

Of the younger panel members – there are 10 players from last year’s league squad that to me, are not guaranteed to remain for 2025.

Of that 10, I think only four could be omitted. There are six that I’m certain will remain.

Brion Saunderson is highly unlikely to lose his place on the panel, given he was only called up last year – even if Cork are spoiled for choice when it comes to goalkeepers. He is clearly designated as number two for now.

Gavin Connolly, Eoin Davis and Ger Collins have all featured in league squads at various stages over the past few years, so the door is never fully shut. After the year Davis has had for Imokilly and St Catherine’s, he could easily make a few appearances on the bench.

As with Saunderson, I see no reason for Cathal McCarthy, Cormac O’Brien, Micheál Mullins, Conor O'Callaghan or Eoin Roche to lose their places. If any one of those five are dropped, I can see Seán Desmond taking the vacant spot.

Luke Horgan, right, and Cormac O'Brien, left, celebrate their victory in the Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship semi-final match between Tipperary and Cork at Semple Stadium in 2021. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The only other potential changes I’d expect would be Ben Cunningham, Conor Cahalane, Eoin Carey and Robbie Cotter. I feel those four are just the unfortunate ones, most likely to be cut. That's purely because Jack Leahy, Brian O’Sullivan, William Buckley and the aforementioned Davis have all been outstanding in 2024.

For Cunningham and Carey, injuries have really hampered their seasons. Cahalane and Cotter had no championship involvement, and I feel they’ll be the unlucky ones cut, solely because of the long-term potential Leahy and Buckley have with Cork.

Don’t be surprised if Diarmuid Healy is also included in the squad, he’s certainly an option for Ryan.

The same can be said for Luke Elliott and Sean Desmond after the club seasons they had.

Ultimately, there is so much competition for places – which can only be a good thing for Cork hurling.

Any of the names I’ve mentioned could be included and there wouldn’t be any complaints. That’s how close in level these players are.

So barring any injuries or players travelling abroad – this is my predicted 37-man panel:

Alan Connolly (Blackrock),

Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s),

Brian Roche (Bride Rovers),

Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk),

Brion Saunderson (Midleton),

Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields),

Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr),