Cork U20 manager Noel Furlong delighted as Barry Walsh available for Munster semi-final

Barry Walsh is set to feature for Cork in Wednesday night’s Fulfil Munster U20HC semi-final against Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7.35pm).

With the Killeagh attacker having started both of the Rebels’ senior provincial championship clashes so far, the wins over Tipperary and Limerick – missing the U20 game against Waterford as a result – there was a question-mark as to whether Saturday’s game away to the Déise would preclude his involvement.

However, Walsh will be part of the Cork panel, which is due to be named on Tuesday night, and manager Noel Furlong is delighted.

“We were training this morning and the call came through to say that he was available to us and that was great news,” he said.

“It was a massive boost for our group. Obviously, Barry is integral to our team but, at the same time, we didn’t have him below in Waterford and when the gun was to our heads, we came out with a result there as well.

“We’re by no means a one-man team but, equally, Barry is a top-class player. He has proven that he’s a senior inter-county player and to have him available for the U20s is after giving us a massive boost.”

Walsh scored 1-5 in last Wednesday night’s win over Clare the same venue. The result left the counties on six points each along with Tipperary – Tipp’s big win over Limerick sent them straight through to next week’s Munster final while Cork’s second-placed finish earned them home advantage for the semi-final rematch with the Banner.