Under 20 hurlers can give county a timely lift
By Shane Brophy
Tipperary manager Brendan Cummins has made one change to his starting fifteen for this evenings Munster Under 20 Hurling semi-final against Cork at FBD Semple Stadium.
Silvermines clubman Conor McKelvey, who impressed as a sub against Waterford two weeks ago, starts in place of Conor O’Brien, and adds physicality to the half back line.
His clubmate Michael Corcoran, who started in the same wing back position in the round 1 win over Kerry where he picked up a shoulder injury, is fit to take his place on a strong Tipperary bench where he along with Colm Fogarty and Sean Kenneally provide a lot of forward punch.
Tipperary secured a home semi-final by virtue of winning both their group games against Kerry and most impressively against Waterford.
“We have got a little bit of momentum,” admitted manager Brendan Cummins.
“In the Kerry game we started a little jittery but in the Waterford game we hit the ground running. That was the whole key with the round-robin that it allows you to blow away some of the cobwebs.
“But now we play the team that have been setting the bar for underage hurling in the last number of years. We saw Cork playing last Wednesday night playing against Limerick and they’ll be disappointed that Limerick beat them, so they’ll be coming to us with a point to prove so we have to be ready for it.”
Cork have won the last two under 20 All-Ireland’s, defeating Tipperary in route to both, including last years Munster semi-final in Thurles where Tipp gave up a six-point half time lead to lose by nine.
“In this Munster semi-final against Cork we need to start fast and get faster as the game goes on,” added Cummins.
“If we are going to keep into them and hopefully, we will be able to do that.
“We had last week off so the way it was set up was perfect for us in a lot of ways as he had our first two matches then we had last Wednesday off so we have had two weeks to prepare for this which has been good to clear up a few injuries.
“It is a fantastic competition to be involved in to develop young players and it is the whole idea of what we are trying to achieve, on top of trying to beat Cork on Wednesday.
“It’s the cut and thrust of championship is what gets the heart racing that little bit faster and is why we are looking forward to the challenge Cork are going to give us.
Tipperary team v Cork: Paidí Williams (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Conor O'Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs), Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane); Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs), James Armstrong (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor McKelvey (Silvermines); Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), John Campion (Drom & Inch); Ed Connolly (Loughmore-Castleiney), Peter McGarry (St Mary's), Eddie Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris), Jack Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields).
Subs: Jason O'Dwyer (Clonoulty/Rossmore); Tony Cahill (Drom & Inch), Michael Corcoran (Silvermines), Colm Fogarty (Lorrha), Josh Keller (Nenagh Eire Og), Sean Kenneally (Moneygall), James Morris (St Mary's), Conor O'Brien (Mullinahone), Conor Ryan (Borrisokane)