‘Cork need to give young footballers their chance'

Billy Morgan urges Rebels to trust our young players

BY TOM LYONS

CORK football needs to give youth its fling – that’s the verdict of former All-Ireland winning Rebel football manager Billy Morgan.

The Nemo Rangers clubman was guest of honour at the 2016 Westlodge Hotel Carbery GAA All-Star Awards last Saturday night, and speaking to The Southern Star Morgan outlined his belief that young players must be given their chance to shine.

‘Over the past few years we’ve had a fair bit of success in UCC and we’ve produced good players. Seven UCC players won an All-Ireland with Kerry two years ago and a lot of them wouldn’t be superior to our own Cork lads,’ Morgan said.

‘I feel Cork didn’t persist with these young players, Sean Kiely of Macroom being a case in point. Luke Connolly this year, outstanding in the last two Sigersons and on the Cork team but then completely dropped from the panel of 26 for the Donegal game. Luke does things in a game that will frustrate you but he’s a great player. There was no logic in dropping him.

‘At the moment Brian O’Driscoll has the potential to be an outstanding player, if handled properly. David Harrington from Adrigole was very good for us and he’s dropped off the scene although he did play junior this year. Ian Maguire has come through and Alan O’Donovan is playing very well. Sean White, Clonakilty, was very good at U21 and he will be a big player for us this season in the Sigerson. Stephen Cronin is there already.

‘The young players have to be there. Cork have dominated the Munster U21 for the past 12 years, with Kerry and Tipp winning only a couple, so the young players must be available in Cork.’

Morgan also stated that he is ‘available to give a hand’ to Cork football if his expertise and experience is needed, but to date he hasn’t been asked.