Clare v Cork U20: Nine of 2022 minor side named on Rebels' team

The Cork team for Wednesday’s oneills.com Munster U20HC opener against Clare shows nine survivors from the minor side beaten by the Banner in a provincial semi-final three years ago.

Noel Furlong’s Rebels begin their campaign with a trip to O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge (7pm) to take on a home side that ended their progress at the equivalent minor grade.

From that clash in May 2022, goalkeeper Daniel O’Connell, captain Denis Cashman, James O’Brien, Timmy Wilk, Ben Walsh, Daniel Murnane, Peter O’Shea, Eoin Guinane and Ross O’Sullivan – the Na Piarsaigh man is the only attacker among the nine, though his Ballinhassig namesake Adam would likely have featured but for injury.

Four of the team – Cashman, Wilk, Walsh and his cousin Barry – started last year’s Munster U20 final defeat to Tipperary while O’Brien, Ross O’Sullivan and Barry O’Flynn all came on in that game, along with Adam O’Sullivan.

Cashman, O’Brien and Wilk form the full-back line on front of O’Connell – Wilk has played a lot of hurling out the field but excelled in a corner-back role as Imokilly won the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC last year, capable of following a roving attacker an impacting at the other end.

Ben Walsh and Murnane flank Dungourney’s Cillian O’Callaghan in the half-back line while O’Shea partners Guinane – corner-back at minor level – in midfield. Ryan Deasy, John Wigginton Barrett and Barry Walsh comprise the half-forward line while O’Flynn and O’Sullivan are partnered by Johnnie Murphy of Dromina in the inside line.

Murphy’s namesake John Murphy from Mallow and Mark O’Brien are the two minors from last year named among the substitutes.

Tipperary and Limerick opened the Munster championship on Tuesday night, with the Shannonsiders winning in Thurles against the side that were Munster minor champions in 2022. Tipp provide the opposition for Cork's first home game, at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Wednesday.

CORK (Munster U20HC v Clare): Daniel O’Connell (Dromina); Denis Cashman (Bride Rovers, captain), James O’Brien (Fermoy), Timmy Wilk (Cobh); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), Daniel Murnane (Carrigtwohill); Peter O’Shea (Erin’s Own), Eoin Guinane (Valley Rovers); Ryan Deasy (Ballymartle), John Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr’s), Barry Walsh (Killeagh); Johnnie Murphy (Dromina), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Ross O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: Oisín Walsh (Youghal), Carthaigh Cronin (Midleton), David O’Leary (Ballincollig), Matthew Barrett (Carrigtwohill), John Murphy (Mallow), Zach Biggane (Charleville), Oisín Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s), Mark O’Brien (Douglas), Dylan McCarthy (Killeagh).