McGrath Cup: Steven Sherlock on bench as Cork reveal strong team for opener against Tipperary 

John Cleary has named a strong team for Cork’s encounter with Tipperary as the Rebels begin their defence of the McGrath Cup tomorrow night in Cappawhite (7pm).

The Leesiders have won this pre-season competition on the last two occasions. It didn’t run in 2025 as there was a suspension of the pre-season games all over the country.

It’s a very familiar starting 15 with Kevin O’Donovan’s inclusion a standout after his injury troubles in recent years.

Bantry Blues stalwart Ruairí Deane will captain the team against a Tipp side who defeated Limerick in the first game in Group B last Friday night. Steven Sherlock has returned to the Cork fold after taking a break last year. He's named on the bench. 

Cleary's hands have been tied to a certain degree with regards team selection due to a number of factors including the Sigerson Cup getting underway. He isn't able to use any players involved in Sigerson Cup games this week.

There are three new faces amongst the substitutes with goalkeeper Darragh Newman coming into 2026 on the back of a great season with St Finbarr’s as they won the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC in 2025.

Kilshannig defender Colm O’Shea, a former Cork underage player, is on the bench.

Finally, Denis O’Connor of Knocknagree received a call up recently after his brilliant 2025 season with his club.

They won the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC crown for the first time with O’Connor a regular scorer. He was joint seventh in the scoring charts with the forward also playing a crucial role in setting up scores for his teammates.

Cleary, who is in his fourth full season at the helm, will be keen to build a strong panel for the year ahead with the start of the Allianz Division 2 league only a few weeks away.

Cork’s opponents in the opening game will be Cavan on Sunday, January 25 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Leesiders will be determined to have three competitive games before then. They will be fancied to defeat Tipperary even though the Premier County have a competitive game already under their belt.

Cork will take on Limerick on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn with the team that finishes top of Group B qualifying for the final on Saturday, January 17.

The expectation is that Kerry will come through from the other group.

CORK (McGrath Cup v Tipperary):

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree);

Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam), Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers);

Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig);

Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown);

Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues, capt), Seán McDonnell (Mallow), Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven);

Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).

Subs:

Darragh Newman (St Finbarr’s), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Colm O’Shea (Kilshannig), Matty Taylor (Mallow), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s), Luke Murphy (Cullen), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Denis O’Connor (Knocknagree).