Cork minor football team named ahead of championship opener against Kerry

Keith Ricken has announced his first competitive team as Cork minor football manager as the Rebels get their championship underway on Bank Holiday Monday against Kerry.

Páirc Uí Rinn is the venue for the Electric Ireland Munster MFC quarter-final encounter between the old rivals with throw-in at 7pm.

There are four players on the matchday squad that were part of last year’s panel. They all start too.

Kinsale’s Aaron Keane is named at full-back for this battle with the Kingdom, Cathal McCarthy from St Colum’s has been handed the number 6 jersey and he is also the captain for the campaign ahead.

New Cork minor football manager Keith Ricken. Picture: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty

Forwards Niall O’Callaghan (Castlehaven) and Ben Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline) will be part of an attacking unit that will hope to contribute to a positive team performance in the opening round of the championship.

Regardless of what happens on Monday, both sides progress to the semi-finals. Cork have a decent recent record at this grade. Granted teams change from year to year, the Leesiders are bidding for their third provincial title in five seasons this year.

In the last campaign, the Rebels lost to the Kingdom at the quarter-final stage in Tralee before losing again to Kerry in the Munster decider at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The Leesiders then suffered a heavy loss to Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Cork’s last All-Ireland success at this level came in 2019.

Cork lost to Kerry in the Munster MFC final last year. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Clare face Tipperary on Monday in the Phase 1 final in Semple Stadium (2pm) with both teams moving onto the semi-finals of Phase 2.

CORK (v Kerry):

Rory Twohig (Kilmeen);

Ben Coffey (Clonakilty), Aaron Keane (Kinsale), Matthew Kiernan (Carrigaline);

Jerry O’Leary (Ballinascarthy), Cathal McCarthy (St Colum’s, c), Brian Cronin (Ballincollig);

Samuel Kelleher-Leavy (Macroom), Ronan Hayes (Carbery Rangers);

Niall O’Callaghan (Castlehaven), Donagh Flynn (Ibane Gaels), Seán O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue);

Paddy Murphy (Donoughmore), Ben Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline), Eoghan Aherne (Boherbue).

Subs:

Diarmuid O’Riordan (Mallow), Jack Hanrahan (Mitchelstown), Eoin Maguire (Castlehaven), Joe Miskella (Ballincollig), Tom Whooley (Clonakilty), Seán Cuinnea (Carbery Rangers), Diarmuid O’Donoghue (Douglas), Éamonn Ger O’Sullivan (Clyda Rovers), Eoin Looney (Banteer).

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