Barry Walsh returns as Cork name team for U20 clash with Clare

Barry Walsh returns to the Cork team for Wednesday's Fulfil Munster U20HC clash with Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Senior commitments precluded the Killeagh attacker from featuring in the win over Waterford a fortnight ago but he is back, with Jack O'Brien dropping to the bench.

The round-robin section of the provincial campaign concludes with the Rebels hosting the Banner  while Tipperary travel to Limerick at the same time. Both sides are sure of advancing to the knockout stage, but both - and Tipp - are battling for top spot and a direct route to the Munster final.

While much of the jeopardy is removed, or at least reduced, Cork manager Noel Furlong still wants his side to treat the clash as a knockout game.

The worst-case scenario for Cork is an away semi next week but Furlong is keen to ensure his players put in a good performance to give them a chance of securing the result they need.

“There are a few different ways of looking at it,” he says, “but the way that we’re processing it is that it’s a massive game in terms of our season.

“We’re looking at it as a knockout game, an opportunity to reach a Munster final. We’re playing a very good team but we’re at home and we’re approaching it in terms of giving it everything we have.”

Cork opened their campaign with a two-point defeat to Tipperary – a match in which they had to play the entire second half with 14 players – and then, after seeing off Limerick with a four-goal haul, ground out an impressive 0-16 to 0-13 win away to Waterford in difficult conditions a fortnight ago.

The time since has been put to good use.

“It’s gone very well, as you’d expect,” Furlong says.

“The lads have the kind of confidence that comes from playing well and, with one to go, they’re the top scorers in the round-robin.

“From the point of view of the management, when we see the spirit, the character, the togetherness of the panel, it’s very pleasing.

“Thankfully, there were no injuries coming out of the Waterford game and we’ve been able to work on a few things in training. We’re in a good place.”

Cork’s win in Dungarvan was Waterford’s third defeat but by an aggregate of just five points. While a win for them over Limerick last week was not enough to avoid elimination, their story shows the tight nature of the championship.

“There have been eight matches played so far,” Furlong says, “and seven of them have been one-score games [Cork’s 4-18 to 0-21 triumph against Limerick].

“Clare have won all three games so far and when a team is coming out on the right side of tight matches every time, it shows you how good they are.

“They won the minor All-Ireland three years ago and we know that they’re going to be huge opponents but at the same time, we’re massively looking forward to the challenge.

“Like last year, we’ve got better and better as the year has gone on and the lads are determined to give a good account of themselves.”

CORK (Munster U20HC v Waterford): Oisín Walsh (Youghal); Denis Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), Matthew Barrett (Carrigtwohill), Darragh Heavin (Russell Rovers); Michael Tadhg Brosnan (Glen Rovers), Colm Garde (Lisgoold), David O’Leary (Ballincollig); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), Conor Noonan (Kanturk); Zack Biggane (Charleville), Johnny Murphy (Dromina), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields, captain); Finn O’Brien (Erin’s Own), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), James O’Brien (Cloyne).

Subs: Tom Walsh (Aghada), Rian O’Riordan (Blackrock), Johnny Galvin (Éire Óg), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill), John Murphy (Mallow), Jack O’Brien (Douglas), Cormac Deane (Killeagh), Craig O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Mark O'Brien (Douglas)