Cork Under 20s prepare for Kerry clash

Cork's Under 20 hurlers get their Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship campaign underway this evening.

The Rebels are away to Kerry in Austin Stack Park in Tralee, where throw in is at 6.30.

Boss Pat Ryan named his team yesterday, with Alan Connolly leading the line for the Rebels - Connoolly was man of the match for Blackrock in their County Championship final win over Glen Rovers.

The winners tonight will go on to face Limerick next week.

Ryan told RedFM sport that he's delighted the game is going ahead, given the current Covid-19 situation.

"Back in April we were thinking there was going to be no Championship and that everything was going to be cancelled. Even up to last Thursday (the 8th) there was a serious doubt about things, but we got the go ahead.

"Hopefully it goes ahead [without a hitch], it would be very disappointing for the work that we've done, and especially for the players most importantly, especially the fellas in their last year, if they didn't get to partake in it. 

"In the times we're in it has to be done safely too, and for the health of the players and the health of their areas and their families and friends has to be taken into account in that.

"The worst thing about it was you didn't know if the championship was going ahead. We had a fantastic club championship this year where players got loads of matches, so you just left them back to their clubs.

"I suppose the biggest advantage is that everybody is in the same boat, so nobody is getting any advantage. We're lucky that the games are going ahead, which is the main thing. But as regards to preparation that's been difficult, but it's the same for every county so nobody is getting an advantage over anyone."

You can listen to the interview with Pat Ryan in full on the Big Red Bench Podcast

The Cork team to face Kerry:

1. Eoin Davis (St Catherine’s)

2. Conor O’ Callaghan (Dromtariff) – Captain 

3. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)

4. Aaron Walsh Barry (Carrigtwohill)

5. Kevin Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh)

6. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr)

7. Dáire O’ Leary (Watergrasshill)

8. Sam Quirke (Midleton)

9. Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk)

10. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)

11. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)

12. Eoin Carey (Kilworth)

13. Shane O’ Regan (Watergrashill)

14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock)

15. Colin O’ Brien (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels)

16. Donal Maher (Douglas)

17. Darragh Moran (Castlemartyr)

18. Liam Ryan (Inniscarra)

19. Luke Horgan (Glen Rovers)

20. Ethan Twomey (St Finbarrs)

21. Daniel Hogan (Sarsfields)

22. Jack Cahalane (St Finbarrs)

23. Owen McCarthy (Inniscarra)

24. Brian Hayes (St Finbarrs)