Cork hurling: Finn O'Brien and Barry Walsh shine brightest among championship newcomers

The opening weekend of championship is always one to savour for players and supporters. It’s a clean slate, a chance to either atone for or build on the previous years’ endeavours.

For some hurlers a little over a week ago, though, it wasn’t about redemption or progression. It was about beginnings. First impressions. And for many, the first steps in what could be long and successful club careers.

Some of last year’s minors caught the eye more than others – that’s the nature of sport – but Killeagh’s Barry Walsh was the headliner. Hardly a surprise, given the quality he has consistently shown for club and county at underage level.

Lining out in the full-forward line, Walsh hit 1-8 in their two-point win over Na Piarsaigh, with eight of those coming from placed balls. His goal, though, was one to remember – winning an aerial duel, shaking off his marker, fending off Cian Hogan’s challenge, and letting fly from distance.

His cousin Ben impressed too, making a seamless debut at wing-back and chipping in with a point from play.

Another to shine in Senior A was Carrigtwohill’s Patrick Walsh, younger brother of Seán. He struck 0-4 from play on debut, most of them at key moments when Carrigtwohill badly needed scores. His fellow debutant, Cork U20 Matthew Barrett, offered strong support from midfield and added 0-2.

The Glen Rovers county-winning trio have been on the radar since their underage days and featured heavily in the league. Their Premier Senior Championship debuts were inevitable — the only question was how they’d fare.

In the win over Erin’s Own, Conor McCarthy played the full 70 minutes at wing-back and marked it with a point. Diarmuid Wall also started, playing 44 minutes and finding the target, while Jake Brosnan came on for the final 26 minutes. Erin’s Own’s Finn O’Brien stole the show though, scoring 1-3 from play on his first start.

Charleville also handed out premier senior debuts, with Seán Bresnan and Cork U20 Zack Biggane both starting. Biggane hit two points from wing-forward, while Bresnan — who has used his pace and directness to great effect all throughout the league — caused similar damage against Newcestown, also scoring twice.

Douglas' Ronan Dooley was handed his first appearance – between league and championship – as he started corner-forward against the Barrs, scoring a point from play. 

None of St Finbarr’s five league debutants featured against Douglas, but in their IAHC clash with Meelin, Conor McCarthy impressed from midfield with 1-3. 

Ricky Barrett came off the bench to score 0-5, while Matthew Ahern started at corner-back before making way for another former minor, Thomas Egan.

Sarsfields’ Barry O’Flynn was on free taking duty in their dominant victory over Youghal in the Intermediate A HC and scored 0-8 (0-6 f), while Seán Bracken featured from the bench.

Midleton also handed out debuts in the IAHC, Conor Morley, Eoghan Fraser, and Carthaigh Cronin all started their victory over Mayfield, while Tomás Dunlea scored 0-1 from corner-back.

Though none of the four featured against Newtownshandrum, their north Cork opponents did hand out debuts – Turlough O’Neill played 20 minutes and scored a point, while Daire Ryan was brought on in the closing minutes.

Fr O’Neill’s starlet Tadhg O’Donoghue Brosnan will have to wait for his senior championship bow, but did score 0-8 (0-7 f, 0-1 65) against Sarsfields in their East Cork Junior A HC defeat.