CORK minor football boss Keith Ricken is a firm believer in learning, and a productive pre-season has given his young side plenty of scope for improvement.

After a 2025 campaign that offered just four competitive outings, Cork’s decision to enter the minor team in the Leinster Development League provided five fixtures. It culminated in a 2-12 to 1-13 final victory over Louth.

‘The quality of football was good. We’ve seen improvements every time we went out. You’re allowing time for fellas to develop. If a player goes through a dip, you give him time again. It’s a learning environment, which is what we’re about,’ Ricken told The Southern Star.

‘If I was in charge of the GAA, I would have regular U17 leagues for the minor teams. It gives them a chance to learn, develop and improve. If things go wrong, you’re back up on the horse again the following week. Championship can be brutal. For young people, the leagues are a greater indicator of where they’re at.

‘In the last couple of years, various managers would have found it difficult in the current structure of the Munster championship. Every other province had leagues and a different round-robin championship. Cork had two or three games and that was it.

‘We also have a developmental squad this year, below the minors. The Cork first team played in Division 1 and the developmental team played in Division 2. For the first team, you’re guaranteed three quality games. The semi-final and final were the fourth and fifth matches. The games got harder each time. Everyone got game time – 36 or 37 players got a run in Division 1.’

Barryroe players Riley O’Donovan (1-0) and Conrad Murphy (0-2) impressed in the final victory, while fellow West Cork natives Rory Twohig of Kilmeen (0-3f), Kevin O’Donovan of O’Donovan Rossa and Luke O’Neill of Carbery Rangers (0-1 each) were also on target.

Other local players in the squad include Clonakilty’s Tom Whooley and Fionn O’Donovan, Conor Downing of Adrigole, Paul Deasy of Argideen Rangers, Newcestown’s Donncha O’Mahony and Urhan’s Kieran O’Shea.

Ricken is pleased with the preparation his side gained ahead of the Munster championship, which begins at the end of April.

‘I’m always about “what’s next week, what’s coming up?” I try not to plan that far ahead. You obviously have an eye on the championship – that’s what we’re here for. In my role, though, it’s only one of many things I have to worry about. The big thing is getting fellas to learn about football, learn about themselves and love playing football for Cork,’ he said.

‘You’re playing in an environment where it’s form-driven, everyone has a high standard and you’re trying to work as a team. There are lots of bits and pieces going on.

‘Inter-county football is full of excitement but it’s also full of disappointments. We have 34 players currently and we have to pick 24 for matchday – that’s not even talking about the starting team. The players have to deal with the whole range of emotions and you’re helping them negotiate that,’ he explained.

Experience will also be key to this year’s squad, despite it being underage. Rory Twohig, Tom Whooley and captain Joe Miskella were all part of last year’s panel, and that knowhow is vital for the new players entering the group.

‘If a guy is good enough, or close to being good enough, and has a year to go, we bring him in. It’ll be a great experience for next year’s group. The lads who came in last year know what to expect and they’re leaders inside the dressing room – but only to a point.

‘You re-establish yourself every year. There is also a new energy, new leaders. You’re not expecting the fellas who were there last year to be leading it – you’re expecting everyone to be leading it. It doesn’t matter how long you’re there,’ Ricken added.

Twohig, Whooley, Conrad Murphy and Riley O’Donovan were part of Clonakilty Community College’s Simcox Cup-winning squad, while Luke O’Neill played a key role in Mount St Michael’s Munster senior B championship success.

Schools football success is an important component in developing players, and Ricken agrees.

‘Playing inter-county football is only a third string on the bow. It isn’t your top string really. It’s your club, and that should be followed by the schools. Your school and your club are paramount.

‘There is a realisation here in Cork that that has to happen. That will, in time, pay dividends. It’s not going to happen overnight. We’re not there yet, but it’s a start,’ the Cork minor boss said.

The Cork minor football panel for 2026 is: Conor Downing (Adrigole), Jacob Barry (Aghinagh), Paul Deasy (Argideen Rangers), Éanna Lynch, Joe Miskella (captain), Evan Stack (all Ballincollig), Ben Hegarty (Ballinora), Billy Looney (Banteer), Conrad Murphy, Riley O’Donovan (both Barryroe), Colm O’Riordan (Blarney), Michael Walsh (Bride Rovers), Luke O’Neill (Carbery Rangers), Eoghan Ahern (Carrigaline), Mark Power (Charleville), Tom Whooley, Fionn O’Donovan (both Clonakilty), Rian Coakley (Éire Óg), Darragh O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), Aaron O’Sullivan (Glanmire), Rory Twohig (Kilmeen), Pol O’Connor (Lisgoold), Riain McCormack (Midleton), Rory O’Sullivan, Peadar Kelly (Naomh Abán), Morgan Corkery (Nemo Rangers), Donncha O’Mahony (Newcestown), Kevin O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), Donal Herlihy (Shamrocks), Alex O’Herlihy, Conor Garvey (both St Finbarr’s), Kieran O’Shea (Urhan), Cathal Murphy (Valley Rovers) and Donnacha Coleman (Youghal).