GAA:Cork manager Conor Counihan has named an unchanged starting line-up to take on Kerry in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final at Croke Park, with rising star Ciaran Sheehan missing out on a place in the 30-man match day squad.
Counihan named his line-up this evening but there was no place for 18-year old Sheehan, who held out slim hopes of making it after a whirlwind season that has seen the teenager win All-Ireland and Munster Under-21 medals plus a Munster Junior Championship title before he set off for AFL trials.
When Sheehan returned home he was immediately catapulted into the senior panel reckoning.
“With the under-21’s it was great to have the All-Ireland medal…then to be promoted onto the seniors was an absolute dream come true – to be playing with all of those lads and to be training on the same pitch as them is something major,” said Sheehan.
“Everything has come in the one year, I’m just trying to take it all in, keep the head down and work hard.”
There had been doubts over the fitness of defender Ray Carey because of a shoulder injury but the Clyda Rovers clubman was given the all clear to start, which means dual star Eoin Cadogan misses out.
It means 14 clubs are represented in the Cork side, with Ballincollig the only side supplying two players - John Miskella at left half back and Paddy Kelly at left half-forward.
Cork team (v Kerry):Alan Quirke (Valley Rovers), Ray Carey (Clyda Rovers), Michael Shields (St. Finbarrs), Anthony Lynch (Naomh Aban), Noel O'Leary (Cill na Martra), Graham Canty (Bantry Blues) – Captain, John Miskella (Ballincollig), Alan O'Connor (St. Colums), Nicholas Murphy (Carrigaline), Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers), Pearse O'Neill (Aghada), Paddy Kelly (Ballincollig), Daniel Goulding (Eire Og), Colm O'Neill (Ballyclough), Donnacha O'Connor (Ballydesmond)