Cork footballers have done well so far to blood so many newcomers while also getting big performances 

It might have gone unnoticed during Cork’s narrow defeat to Kerry nearly two weeks ago, but there were three players that made their championship debuts during the epic encounter.

The Rebels lost a thriller to the Kingdom after extra time in the Munster SFC semi-final last Saturday week on a scoreline of 3-21 to 1-25 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

While it was a tough pill to swallow and ultimately it was a case of another narrow loss for the Leesiders, there were plenty of positives.

It was a special occasion on a personal level for Seán Walsh, Hugh O’Connor and Darragh Cashman against Kerry, who all made their championship debuts for the Cork senior football team.

That followed the four that made their first championship appearances for John Cleary’s side in the Munster quarter-final victory over Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. They were Seán Brady, Neil Lordan, Seán McDonnell and Conor Cahalane.

Altogether, between the Allianz Division 2 league and championship this year, there have been 11 new players who have donned the Cork jersey. That’s quite a high number no matter what way you look at it even taking into consideration injuries and players departing in the off season.

Bríain Murphy, Luke Murphy, Cathal Maguire and Éanna Desmond all made their debuts during a league campaign this year which saw the Rebels finish in fifth position with eight points. Their highest finish in the top two leagues since 2015.

The majority of the rookies have all stepped up to the plate.

The defenders, Seán Brady and Neil Lordan, have been particularly impressive and also wing-forward Seán McDonnell. All new guys with no fear or baggage.

Brady was certainly holding his own until his harsh red card against Kerry.

McDonnell chipped in with 1-10 (2 2pt) during the league before his 0-1 against Limerick and 0-3 (1 2pt) against Kerry in championship. 

The additions of Cahalane and Walsh certainly added steel to Cork against the Kingdom and they certainly weren’t overawed by the occasion.

The Leesiders will be looking to build on the display against Kerry with a rematch against them looking likely in the All-Ireland group stage. If the Kingdom win Munster on Sunday, they will be in Group 2 with Cork, the Leinster runners-up Louth or Meath, and Roscommon.