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Cork hurling boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
Called Up

5 new faces added to Jimmy Barry-Murphy's Cork senior hurling squad for league

The Rebels have freshened up their squad before they play Kilkenny on 14 February in their league opener.

FIVE NEW CORK players who impressed in the Waterford Crystal Cup over the last month have been retained as part of the Rebels squad ahead of their return to Division 1A of the Allianz hurling league with a clash against Kilkenny on 14 February.

Teenage goalkeeper Patrick Collins from Ballinhassig, defenders William Kearney (Sarsfields) and Brian O’Sullivan (Fermoy) and Killeagh’s Andy Walsh, who plays in midfield or attack, are all included.

In addition, Anthony Spillane of Castlelyons, who played for UCC in the Waterford Crystal, also receives a call-up.

Collins has been in goal for the Cork minor hurlers for the last three years while he was also between the posts when the Rebels lost last year’s Munster U21 hurling final against Clare. Spillane also played for Cork in that game and is currently involved with UCC in the Fitzgibbon Cup.

William Kearney 10/1/2015 New Cork defender William Kearney Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Kearney, whose twin brother Daniel is an established player in the Cork setup, has been impressive for the Sarsfields squad that have won four of the last seven county senior hurling titles.

O’Sullivan came to prominence when his club Fermoy won the county intermediate hurling championship last year and also played in the Fitzgibbon Cup in recent years for Cork IT.

The inclusion of Collins means that Darren McCarthy – who has been understudy to Anthony Nash for the past three years – will continue to operate as a forward for Cork, as he does for his club Ballymartle and as he had been in the Waterford Crystal.

Patrick Collins Cork minor hurling goalkeeper Patrick Collins. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

“Darren is on the panel now as a forward,” Cork selector Johnny Crowley said.

“Patrick will be the sub goalkeeper for the moment, Darren can still play there of course but for now he’ll be considered for selection as a forward.”

Crowley is pleased at the infusion of new blood but insists that the panel will be subject to constant review.

“The Waterford Crystal was good to us, the main thing we wanted from it was to be able to identify some new players. We have few new fellas on the panel, but the way we’re looking at it is that this is a panel for the next game.

“We’ll be reviewing it after each game, it’s kind of a fluid thing going forward, things will be looked at on a regular basis. Other lads who might not have made it this time will still be in the frame, we’ll be looking at them from different angles.”

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