Tipperary v Cork: Barry Walsh spearheads U20 team's attack

Senior starlet Barry Walsh is among the survivors from last year in the Cork side for Wednesday’s Fulfil Munster U20HC opener against Tipperary.

Killeagh’s Walsh – scorer of 2-2 in three starts as Cork reached the Allianz HL final – is named at right half-forward alongside captain Barry O’Flynn from Sarsfields and Dromina’s ohnny Murphy, both of whom featured in the 2025 provincial semi-final loss to Clare.

In total, there are seven players who saw game-time in that defeat, with David O’Leary of Ballincollig, John Murphy (Mallow), Walsh’s cousin Ben – also from Killeagh – and Finn O’Brien also chosen by manager Noel Furlong and his selectors.

Three of the starting 15 for the trip to FBD Semple Stadium (7pm) were part of last year’s Munster minor-winning side – Darragh Heavin from Russell Rovers Bride Rovers’ Denis Fitzgerald in the full-back line and Glen Rovers’ Michael Tadhg Brosnan in the half-back line – while four more are among the substitutes.

CORK (U20 v Tipperary): Oisín Walsh (Youghal); Darragh Heavin (Russell Rovers), Denis Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), David O’Leary (Ballincollig); Michael Tadhg Brosnan (Glen Rovers), John Murphy (Mallow), Matthew Barrett (Carrigtwohill); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), Jack O’Brien (Douglas); Barry Walsh (Killeagh), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Johnny Murphy (Dromina); Finn O’Brien (Erin’s Own), Zach Biggane (Charleville), Conor Noonan (Kanturk).

Subs: Tom Walsh (Aghada), Rian O’Riordan (Blackrock), Colm Garde (Lisgoold), Johnny Galvin (Éire Óg), Jayden Casey (Youghal), James O’Brien (Cloyne), Craig O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Cormac Deane (Killeagh), Diarmuid Wall (Glen Rovers).

Extended panel members: James Murray (St Finbarr’s), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill), Eoghan O’Shea (Ballinhassig), Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), Peter Barrett (Midleton), Mark O’Brien (Douglas).