Cork minor football team announced for Munster championship opener 

Keith Ricken has announced his team as the Cork minor footballers get their championship underway tomorrow evening.

The Rebels make the long journey to Clarecastle to meet Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 2 Round 1 encounter, with throw-in at 7pm.

While it’s Cork’s opener, Clare already have three championship games under their belt after coming through Phase 1. 

The Rebels’ preparation for championship though included plenty of challenge games while also winning the Leinster Development League.

For the Leesiders, it’s a new-look team from last year, which was Ricken’s first season at the helm. They were competitive throughout 2025, giving Kerry a real run for their money in the Munster final in Tralee before losing bravely to Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final in Portlaoise.

Only two players who started that loss to Tyrone appear in the starting 15 against Clare, underlining the turnover that can happen at this grade. Those are goalkeeper Rory Twohig and Joe Miskella, who captains the side for the campaign ahead.

Tom Whooley, who was a sub in the Tyrone game, starts in the forward line tomorrow evening.

After this one, Cork are away to Kerry tomorrow week, followed by the visit of Waterford to Páirc Uí Rinn seven days later.

CORK (v Clare):

Rory Twohig (Kilmeen);

Colm O’Riordan (Blarney), Gabriel Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), Conor Garvey (St Finbarr’s);

Darragh O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), Conor Downing (Adrigole), Éanna Lynch (Ballincollig);

Kieran O’Shea (Urhan), Conrad Murphy (Ibane Gaels);

Eoghan Ahern (Carrigaline), Ben Hegarty (Ballinora), Joe Miskella (Ballincollig, capt);

Tom Whooley (Clonakilty), Jacob Barry (Aghinagh), Dónal Herlihy (Shamrocks).

Subs: Kieran Archer (Russell Rovers), Donncha O’Mahony (Newcestown), Riley O’Donovan (Barryroe), Peadar Kelly (Naomh Abán), Alex O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s), Donnacha Coleman (Youghal), Morgan Corkery (Nemo Rangers), Riain Coakley (Éire Óg), Rory O’Sullivan (Naomh Abán), Mark Power (Charleville), Luke O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).

Additional panel members: Fionn O’Donovan (Clonakilty), Cathal Murphy (Valley Rovers), Micheál Walsh (Bride Rovers), Evan Stack (Ballincollig), Kevin O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), Pól O’Connor (Lisgoold), Riain McCormack (Midleton), Aaron O’Sullivan (Glanmire), Billy Looney (Banteer).