Cork U20 football team named for championship opener against Clare

Cork manager Ray Keane has named his team as the Rebels begin their Munster U20 Football Championship campaign tomorrow evening against Clare in Quilty (7pm).

Five players who featured in last year’s Munster final defeat to Kerry are set to start, with senior star Dara Sheedy among them. The Bantry Blues forward has recovered from the knock he picked up during Cork’s Allianz Division 2 Football League final loss to Meath last Sunday week.

Other survivors from the 2025 Munster final team include goalkeeper Billy Curtin, Seán O’Leary, Danny Miskella and Darragh Clifford. The latter captains the side, with the Éire Óg man looking to continue his strong recent form.

Trevor Kiely and Frank Hurley were subs in that decider loss to the Kingdom and are part of this year’s squad with Hurley starting in defence with Kiely on the bench.

A number of last year’s Cork minors have also been promoted. Cathal McCarthy, captain of the 2025 minor team, starts at centre-back for the clash with Clare. Aaron Keane, Ben Corkery-Delaney and Jerry O’Leary are named among the substitutes, all having featured for the Rebel minors last season.

Cork will be targeting a strong start under new boss Keane, who has previously enjoyed success with Éire Óg underage teams, St Finbarr’s and Aghabullogue. He begins a two-year term in charge of the U20s.

This year’s championship is once again a round-robin format, with Kerry and Waterford also in Cork’s group. Both Clare and Waterford have already played three competitive games to reach this stage, which may give them a slight advantage in sharpness.

Even so, Cork and Kerry will be widely expected to progress from the group and into the Munster final.

Regardless of tomorrow’s result, Cork are back in action next Thursday when they host Kerry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Seven days later, the Páirc is again the venue for the visit of Waterford.

The Leesiders are seeking their first Munster title since 2021, as they aim to prevent Kerry from securing a fifth provincial crown on the bounce.

CORK (v Clare):

Billy Curtin (Valley Rovers);

Frank Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa), Peter Rose (Ballincollig), Matthew Ahern (St Finbarr’s);

Seán O’Leary (Kilmurry), Cathal McCarthy (St Colum’s), Odhran Foley (Bishopstown);

Darragh Clifford (Éire Óg, capt), Seán Connolly (Ilen Rovers);

Mark O’Brien (Ballinora), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues), Gary Holland (Bishopstown);

Seán Coakley (Douglas), Rickey Barrett (St Finbarr’s), Danny Miskella (Ballincollig).

Subs: James O’Flaherty (Douglas), Harry Wixted (Bishopstown), Aaron Keane (Kinsale), Trevor Kiely (Mallow), Luke Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), Luke Murphy (Barryroe), Ben Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline), Jerry O’Leary (Ballinascarthy), Michael Collins (Barryroe).