John Horgan picks his starting 15 for Cork hurlers' clash with Tipp in April

One of the top priorities of any management team is to have in place, as much as they possibly can, is a settled team for the championship opener.

The national league, for the most part, is the tool they use to ensure that the vast majority of their panel gets a run out during that campaign and how they might fare out, if given the opportunity, in the searing heat that the championship has become, the Munster minefield where only the fittest will survive.

Management teams are in experimental mode during the secondary competition, particularly in the opening couple of games when many can get the call but only the chosen few get the green light to be involved on the big days in Thurles, the Gaelic Grounds, Cusack Park, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Walsh Park.

The ball is in the new players' court, those introduced into the panel from the previous year to make the desired impression. In both the top two divisions of the league each county plays six games, a decent window of opportunity for the selectors to cast their net that bit further.

However, as the competition ages and if you are fortunate enough to reach the final the need becomes that bit greater to be as close as one can be to putting down on paper the 15 that is best suited for the big opening of the provincial championship, in Cork's case the trip to Semple Stadium on Sunday April 19, a date already carved out in stone.

This will be the counties' sixth meeting since the beginning of last season, twice in the league in 2025, twice in the championship of that year and the recent get-together in this season's league.

There is that definite Munster opener in April and who knows, their paths might cross again in the Division 1A league decider or later in the championship.

Yes, the old foes are getting to know each other a lot more in recent times, there is a renewal of the rivalry that they once had nearly all to themselves in Munster before Limerick entered the equation in their six-in-a-row of provincial titles and four McCarthy Cup triumphs.

The GAA could have sold another 20,000 tickets for Cork and Tipp in last July's All-Ireland final in Croke Park if the capacity was greater and already a league record was broken last Saturday night week, when over 30,000 travelled down the Marina.

Without question, it will be a full house in April in Thurles so it could be said that Cork and Tipp are becoming the big show in town again.

And already, only halfway through the league campaign, questions are being posed here on Leeside about the make-up of the Cork team for that vital championship clash.

Yes, things can change between now and then, injuries, a suspension maybe, but from what we are witnessing at this juncture in time how might the team might selection pan out?

For the two away games that remain in the league, against Kilkenny and Limerick could we see a Cork starting 15 that could be there or thereabouts for that big Munster opener?

The first thing to be said is that the panel continues to deepen, there is fierce competition, it could said for every position in the field.

Of course, there are the definites on the starting block, that number is in double figures one has to believe, that probably applies in most counties.

Will the Tipperary 15 be much different from last July? More than likely not.

John Kiely will still be heavily reliant on the players laden down with provincial and All-Ireland winners.

Clare and Waterford are the most likely where change from last season will be greater but the emphasis will still be on experience.

Where Cork are concerned, the selection spotlight falls that bit more on a number of positions, full-back, centre-back and midfield in particular.

Patrick Collins has been the last line of defence in the opening three league games and whilst Padraigh O'Sullivan and Brion Saunderson may feature in the league games that remain, Collins will be the championship starter.

Who fronts him at number three has become a more interesting topic of conversation among the supporters.

It could be said that not since the halycon days of Diarmuid O'Sullivan in that shirt has there been a player of his calibre in that role.

Could we see the Downey brothers switching positions, Rob going in at number three and Eoin out in the half-back line, where he performed so well against Tipp over a week ago?

Ciaran Joyce's name has been linked to the position too. Joyce will be a definite starter in the team and in this observer's viewpoint, despite his versatility, he is a more natural centre-back.

OPTIONS

Damien Cahalane is in the mix too, vastly experienced, he never gives less than 100%. Daire O'Leary has done little wrong to date. And Ger Millerick is very much around too.

Darragh Fitzgibbon has been outstanding in his half-forward role in recent games and may well occupy that berth in the championship.

That would create a vacancy at midfield and again the options are there. Tim O'Mahony and Tommy O'Connell both possess a steely edge and won't be found wanting in the physical stakes.

Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes are definite starters in attack and Diarmuid Healy is, almost certain and quite rightly, going to be there too.

William Buckley has been raising his hand very high in his outings against Waterford and Tipperary and has to be very much uppermost in the selectors' thoughts.

The return of Seamie Harnedy against Galway was a huge positive and his four-point return in Salthill illustrated his vast importance to the squad.

Yes, he is in the older generation bracket but experience counts for so much on big championship days and he certainly has been there and done that.

In fact, over the past 12 years or more, alongside the now-retired Patrick Horgan, Harnedy has been Cork's standout forward.

Will he start in the championship? Or will he be kept in reserve to make the type of impact that can change a game?

One way or the other, the St It's player is going to be a key figure over the coming months.

Declan Dalton is another player there will be a large dependence on. He is a powerful presence in any team, in the physical stakes, he's never found wanting and his placed ball proficiency can be so important.

Shane Kingston is another attacker who can carry a lot of influence when the opportunity is presented, he remains an important player in the forwards conversation.

Bottom line, a hell of a lot of options to create a major headache for the management, the headache that they desire.

My starting 15 to face Tipp in April:

P Collins; 

S O'Donoghue, R Downey, N O'Leary; 

E Downey, C Joyce, M Coleman;

T O'Mahony, T O'Connell; 

D Fitzgibbon, S Barrett, D Healy; 

S Harnedy, A Connolly, B Hayes.