Cork footballers pick three newcomers for Munster championship opener

Cork manager John Cleary has named an unchanged team from the side that beat Cavan in the final Allianz Division 2 Football League game two weeks ago for Saturday’s Munster championship quarter-final encounter against Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds (6pm).

It’s no surprise that the Rebels have stuck with the same 15 that played so well in the 0-21 to 0-19 success over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni as the Leesiders finished the league in fifth place on eight points. It's Cork's highest points tally in the top two tiers since 2015.

While there are no changes to the team from the league season, that means three young players will make their championship debuts: Neil Lordan of Ballinora, Ballygarvan's Seán Brady and Seán McDonnell of Mallow.

There is big news on the bench with Cleary’s options further bolstered by key players returning from their respective injuries. Maurice Shanley, Seán Powter and Tommy Walsh are named among the reserves against the Shannonsiders.

Seán Powter has returned from injury with the Douglas player set to be on the bench on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Shanley hasn’t been seen in competitive action since coming off in the third league fixture, a home win over Westmeath, nearly two months ago, while Powter suffered an injury in Round 5 in the heavy home loss to Roscommon at the start of last month. Walsh picked up a hamstring injury 43 minutes into that outing.

The Rebels come into the championship high in confidence after winning their last two league games against Louth and Cavan, as they once again showed bouncebackability having suffered heavy defeats against Monaghan and Roscommon.

The Leesiders' performances have been gradually improving in recent weeks, but championship is a different ball game and Cork won’t be taking anything for granted.

Cork will know that their application will have to be right against a Limerick side who won the Division 4 title last Saturday after beating Wexford in Croke Park in the final.

Cork's Ian Maguire is challenged by Paul Maher of Limerick last season. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher

Despite home advantage, the Shannonsiders will come into this one with the shackles off to a certain extent. Jimmy Lee’s side will be spearheaded by James Naughton with the forward in a rich vein of form of late. He scored 4-12 (0-7 f, 1 2pt f) in Limerick’s final regular league game in the win over Waterford.

Cork will need to be fully focused regardless of the confidence and momentum that they do have on the back of their strong finish to the league campaign.

Cork manager John Cleary. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The prize on offer for the winners on Saturday is a meeting with Kerry in the last four in two weeks on Saturday, April 19. If the Rebels do overcome Limerick, the semi-final contest will take place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Rebels haven’t won the Munster championship since 2012.

CORK (v Limerick):

Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers);

Seán Brady (Ballygarvan), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Neil Lordan (Ballinora);

Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Matty Taylor (Mallow);

Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg);

Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), Seán McDonnell (Mallow);

Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary).

Subs:

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree), Bríain Murphy (Nemo Rangers), Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Seán Powter (Douglas), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown), Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket).

Click here to read article