THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP throws in next Sunday with the collision of Cork and Waterford in Semple Stadium.
Injury problems have beset both camps before the quarter-final tie with Waterford particularly hard-hit.
But what way are Jimmy Barry-Murphy and Derek McGrath likely to set their stall with the teams that will take to the field?
CORK
Goalkeeper
Anthony Nash, Allstar winner for the past two years, will bring his blend of razor-sharp reflexes and accurate puckouts to the Cork goalmouth. Watch out for his journeys upfield if Cork are awarded a close-range free at any juncture. 2012 UCC Fitzgibbon Cup winning captain Darren McCarthy is the back up option.
Defence
From the Cork rearguard that started in last year’s All-Ireland final replay, only Brian Murphy is no longer involved after retiring last March. The full-back line of Shane O’Neill, Stephen McDonnell and Conor O’Sullivan has the opportunity to remain intact with O’Sullivan back fit and Eoin Cadogan unable to challenge due to injury.
The intrigue lies in the half-back line. Christopher Joyce and William Egan will be challenging but the three defenders who came on against Clare last September are all no longer around – Tom Kenny has retired while Stephen White and Killian Murphy were omitted from the championship panel.
Mark Ellis and Eoin Keane caught the eye for CIT in the Fitzgibbon Cup this spring with Ellis a notably highly-rated prospect. Barry-Murphy could bring Damien Cahalane – back in the hurling camp for 2014 – into the equation or withdraw Lorcan McLoughlin to a half-back role that he filled for the Cork minor side in the 2007 All-Ireland final.
Midfield
Daniel Kearney’s breakthrough season arrived last year and he was also a regular during the league campaign. He looks set to have nailed down one spot but who’ll fill the other? Lorcan McLoughlin could be accommodated in defence while Patrick Cronin is also an option in attack. The outside bet is Paul Haughney from last year’s county champions Midleton.
Attack
The three certainties in Cork’s attack look to be 2013 Allstar winners Patrick Horgan and Seamus Harnedy as well as Conor Lehane. Horgan is likely to be in the full-forward line with Harnedy outside him while Lehane could feature in either section of the forward line.
From here it gets more complicated in trying to forecast Cork’s sextet up front. Luke O’Farrell is out injured, Paudie O’Sullivan is unlikely to be thrown in to action so soon after his recovery and Patrick Cronin could be selected at midfield.
Aidan Walsh and Alan Cadogan have emerged during the league as viable options while Stephen Moylan, Cian McCarthy and Jamie Coughlan all saw action during last September’s All-Ireland final. There’s plenty options there for JBM.
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WATERFORD
Goalkeeper
Stephen O’Keeffe is in pole position here after the Ballygunner man has cemented his place as number one for the Deise ahead of Ian O’Regan.
Defence
Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors and Jamie Nagle look to be guaranteed places in defence, most likely in roles at full-back, corner-back and wing-back respectively. Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Kevin Moran are strong candidates to fill places in the half-back line while it’s also feasible one of them could slot in at midfield.
Darragh Fives is likely to miss out through injury with his brother Shane a more probable inclusion. Watch out as well for senior championship debuts being handed to Ballygunner’s Barry Coughlan and Clashmore-Kinsalebeg’s Tadhg Burke. Injuries mean Philip Mahony and Stephen Daniels won’t be involved.
Midfield
Shane O’Sullivan and Stephen Molumphy lined up alongside each other in the middle for Waterford in the league relegation final at the end of March but suspension and injury respectively rule the pair out on this occasion.
Walsh or Moran could be an option to add power and experience to the middle third while Eddie Barrett, who came on as a substitute in the qualifiers last year against Kilkenny, could also line up there with Richie Foley unavailable due to injury.
Attack
Ace freetaker Pauric Mahony, Shane Walsh and Brian O’Sullivan look like three definites in the forward line for the Deise. Stephen Bennett and Brian O’Halloran are out injured but 2013 All-Ireland minor winner Austin Gleeson could be fast-tracked to the senior setup.
Jake Dillon’s fitness remains a doubt with Ray Barry, Seamus Prendergast and Colin Dunford the other contenders to slot in to the forward line.
