Hazel and Hodnett to start for Cork in McGrath Cup opener

THERE is a strong West Cork presence in Cork’s opening game of the McGrath Cup, as the Rebels take on Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick, at Mallow this Sunday, at 2pm, in the preliminary round.

Skibbereen’s Daniel Hazel and Carbery Rangers’ Padraig Hodnett are two new faces, while Caheragh’s Kevin O’Driscoll, Carbery Rangers duo John O’Rourke and John Hayes, as well as Castlehaven’s Brian Hurley all feature on the starting 15.

Other notable starters include Michael Cussen in midfield, county final man-of-the-match George Durrant (Ballincollig), while the county champs supply the entire Cork full back line.

The winners of Sunday’s tie play Tipperary in a quarter-final on the following weekend.

For this competition CIT and UCC players are tied to their respective academies and therefore unavailable for Cork team selection.

Cork team v Mary 1: Ken O'Halloran (Bishopstown); Liam Jennings (Ballincollig), Stephen O'Donoghue (Ballincollig), Noel Galvin (Ballincollig); Daniel Hazel (O'Donovan Rossa), Padraig Hodnett (Carbery Rangers), Jamie O'Sullivan (Bishopstown); Fintan Goold (Macroom), Michael Cussen (Glanmire); Kevin O'Driscoll (Tadgh MacCarthaigh), John O'Rourke (Carbery Rangers), George Durrant (Ballincollig); Fiachra Ó Deasuinaigh (Bishopstown), John Hayes (Carbery Rangers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven).

Subs: Ryan Price (O'Donovan Rossa), Eoin Cadogan (Douglas), Michael Shields (St Finbarr’s), James Loughrey (Mallow), Tom Clancy (Clonakilty), Mark Collins (Castlehaven), Colm O'Driscoll (Tadgh MacCarthaigh), Donncha O'Connor (Ballydesmond), Colm O'Neill (Ballyclough).

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