Wexford v Cork: Pat Ryan names team for Rebels opener 

Cork hurling boss Pat Ryan has named nine of the players that started the All-Ireland final defeat last year in his side for Saturday’s first competitive game of the new season.

The Rebels head for Chadwicks Wexford Park for their opening match in the Allianz Division 1A hurling league against Wexford with throw-in at 5pm.

Patrick Collins, Niall O'Leary, Seán O'Donoghue, new captain Robert Downey, Tim O'Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett and Brian Hayes all started the heartbreaking loss to Clare last July and are all named in the starting team for Saturday.

It’s the second campaign on the trot that the Leesiders will travel down to the sunny south east. Cork comfortably defeated Wexford last March on a scoreline of 3-21 to 1-15 on a day when Alan Connolly scored 3-2 (1-0 pen). He won't be involved on Saturday.

Cork missed out on the league semi-final last year after finishing third in the table. They did lose their first two matches before winning the last three. The Rebels haven’t tasted league success since 1998, when the current manager was involved as a player.

With the strength in depth that Ryan has now in his talented squad, targeting league glory will be one of Cork's priorities this year. It’s always important to get off to a strong start and Cork will be fancied to take care of the Model County on Saturday especially with Wexford’s lengthy injury list.

It’s also vital for the Rebels to pick up the two points on offer with rivals Limerick coming to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday week which has a throw-in time of 7.30pm.

CORK (v Wexford):

Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig);

Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra);

Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Robert Downey (captain, Glen Rovers), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum);

Luke Meade (Newcestown), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville);

Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers);

Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), Pádraig Power (Blarney), Shane Kingston (Douglas).

Subs:

Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Eoin Carey (Kilworth), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s), Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Robbie Cotter (Blackrock), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers).