The desire to make the Cork hurling panel came through clearly on Monday evening as Ben O’Connor’s triallists rewarded him with a late victory over Clare.
The Banner team had the edge in experience. Eight players who started last year’s Munster championship draw figured for Brian Lohan’s men against one for Cork: Ethan Twomey.
That advantage was only sharpened when the late announcement was made that Tony Kelly, wearing no. 26, would be drafted in to start.
Of course, being so early in the year, it was some of the younger cohort who were more battle-ready between their pre-season and Fitzgibbon Cup exploits.
Some of the Cork team had disappointments to rectify, between the midweek defeat to Limerick and the UCC cohort’s…