Dara Sheedy out injured as Cork U20s make three changes for Waterford encounter 

Cork boss Ray Keane has made three changes to the starting 15 that defeated Kerry by a point last week for tomorrow’s Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 3 clash with Waterford at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm).

The victory over the Kingdom has put the destiny in Cork’s own hands heading into this final group-stage fixture, with a positive result enough to book their place in the provincial final.

Of the three changes, the headline one is the absence of senior star Dara Sheedy, who is unavailable after picking up an injury 21 minutes into the Kerry game. Luke Shorten comes into the team at centre-forward.

There is further reshuffling, with Mark O’Brien moving to midfield, Danny Miskella switching out to wing-forward, and Dylan O’Neill promoted from the bench to start at corner-forward. Trevor Kiely, who started in midfield against Kerry, drops out of the matchday squad entirely due to injury.

Finally, in defence, Harry Wixted makes way for Matthew Ahern at corner-back. 

The loss of Sheedy is undoubtedly a blow, but Cork coped impressively when the sharpshooter departed early against the Kingdom. Building on that resilience will be the challenge now.

Cork will be favourites to overcome Waterford, but the visitors claimed an impressive away win over Clare last week and know that another victory would secure their progression to the Munster decider.

CORK (v Waterford):

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), Mark O’Brien (Ballinora);

Danny Miskella (Ballincollig), Luke Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), Gary Holland (Bishopstown);

Seán Coakley (Douglas), Rickey Barrett (St Finbarr’s), Dylan O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: James O’Flaherty (Douglas), Harry Wixted (Bishopstown), Aaron Keane (Kinsale), Luke Murphy (Barryroe), Ben Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline), Denis O’Mullane (Kilmurry), Seán Connolly (Ilen Rovers), Jerry O’Leary (Ballinascarthy), Jack Cullinane (Bandon).