CORK GOALKEEPER DARREN McCarthy is set to start a new inter-county career as a forward this week.
McCarthy, who has been the understudy to 2012 and 2013 Allstar Anthony Nash in recent seasons, has been named at corner-forward by Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy for a challenge game against UCC this Thursday night in the Mardyke at 7.30pm.
The game will see the teams compete for the Canon O’Brien Cup which recognises the contribution of Canon Michael O’Brien to hurling in Cork and UCC. The Canon passed away last November.
Cork have named a strong team for the game which includes nine players who started in last July’s Munster final win over Limerick. Colm Barry and Cormac Murphy are two newcomers handed the chance to impress but it is the inclusion of McCarthy that is the most eye-catching selection.
24 year-old McCarthy featured regularly between the posts for Cork at minor and U21 level while also starting for the senior side in the league last March against Antrim. He has also won two Fitzgibbon Cup medals as a goalkeeper with UCC in 2012 and 2013, captaining the side for the latter triumph.
But with his club Ballymartle, McCarthy has regularly played outfield and his excellent displays there have prompted manager Barry-Murphy to trial him in the forward line. McCarthy scored the match-winning goal for Ballymartle in the 2011 AIB All-Ireland intermediate club hurling final and has impressed at senior club level for Cork in recent campaigns.
CORK
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
2. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
3. Colm Barry (Castlelyons)
4. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
5. Cormac Murphy (Mallow)
6. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk)
7. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
8. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
9. Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum)
10. Seamus Harnedy (St.Ita’s)
11. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
12. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr)
13. Darren McCarthy (Ballymartle)
14. Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
