Cork minor team named for Munster championship opener
Cork’s Sam Ring celebrates his goal against Waterford in last year's Electric Ireland Munster MHC final at FBD Semple Stadium. Picture: Inpho/James Lawlor
While Cork begin their Electric Ireland Munster MHC campaign tonight without a couple of key players, manager Donal Mulcahy is optimistic that the young Rebels will put in a strong display.
Captain Eoin Considine and Callum Coffey – a starter in last year’s provincial-winning campaign – are unavailable for the trip to Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field to take on Waterford (7pm).
The Déise are the reigning All-Ireland champions and started off with a win against Limerick last week – the opening round of the five-team round-robin was Cork’s ‘bye week’.
Newtownshandrum native Mulcahy accepts that there is an element of the unknown before the step up to competitive action but he has been pleased with how preparations have gone.
“A hundred percent,” he says.
“We’ve had a number of challenge games over the last couple of months and we’ve learned a nice bit from those and we’re building away within the group.
“But, you’re never fully sure until the championship starts. The lads are still only 16 or 17 – you’re trying to build them up for the future and give them the tools that they might go on and represent Cork at U20 or senior, but at the end of the day, they’re young lads.
“You don’t know how they’ll respond, but we feel we’re in a good place anyway.”
Tadhg McCarthy of Watergrasshill will captain the side in Considine’s absence while Sam Ring, who made an important contribution off the bench in last year’s Munster final win over Waterford, also brings experience to the attack.
It’s a tough opening for Cork in that the trip to Dungarvan is followed immediately by another away game against Tipperary. Mulcahy is hopeful that the injured pair will be back for that but, equally, he is putting his faith in those given opportunities as a result of the absences.
“We do have a couple of injuries, unfortunately,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Eoin Considine, who’s our captain for this year, he won’t be available on Friday night and, also, Callum Coffey is out.
“The two of those are experienced lads but it’s a case of next man up and we have trust in the guys on our panel.
“We’ll have to wait and see if they’re back for the Tipp match – young fellas usually respond a bit quicker than us older lads!
“We’d be hopeful that they’d be close enough but they’re out for this game, anyway.”
Paul Keane, who won Limerick SHC medals as a player with Adare and coached Doon to glory in 2024, is part of Mulcahy’s set-up along with selectors John Kingston (Tracton), Peter Kelly (Erin’s Own) and Jason Barrett (Carrigtwohill).
They now that the Waterford side, featuring four of those who saw game-time in last year’s success, will be tough to beat, especially at home and with a win under their belts.
Equally, it’s a test that Cork are looking forward to.
“From our point of view, we know a little bit about them,” Mulcahy says.
“The players are fairly familiar with each other from Dean Ryan and Harty. When you look at Waterford, they are a serious team and they had a good start, they won away to Limerick last Friday night.
“We saw that game ourselves and they’re coached by Darragh O’Sullivan and David Franks – those boys don’t need any introduction, they’ve had huge success with Ballygunner.
“They’re very well-drilled and if, you look at the team itself, they’re very well-balanced. They have Darragh Murphy and Andrew Power in defence and then in attack Ryan Molumphy and Dylan Murphy, who got seven or eight points against Limerick.
“It is a proper test but it’s something that the lads are looking forward to, too.”
Marley Walsh (Youghal); Jack Batterbury (Castletownroche), Howard O’Donovan (Kilbree), Nathan Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); Finn Cahill (Midleton), Seán Riordan (Kilworth), Dave Nolan (Erin’s Own); Tadhg Murphy (Cloughduv), Alfie Hennessy (Midleton); Tadhg McCarthy (Watergrasshill, captain), Stephen McHugh (Newtownshandrum), Liam O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); Cormac Murphy (Ballinora), Tom Huggins (Sarsfields), Sam Ring (Carrigtwohill).
Will Stokes (Midleton), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers), Ger Kingston (Mallow), Conor Stack (Blackrock), Cillian Honohan (Donoughmore), Bobby Power (Ballincollig), Sam McCarthy (Castlelyons), Conor Ronayne (Dungourney), Ryan Cagney (Mallow).
Ciarán Kelly (Midleton), Callum Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), CJ Barrett (St Finbarr’s), Cuan McMahon (Sarsfields), Dan Collins (Newtownshandrum), Darragh Barry (Douglas), Eoin Considine (Sarsfields, team captain), Hugo Raftery (Liscarroll-Churchtown), James O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), John O’Sullivan (Midleton), Philip Heavey (Passage).
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