WATERFORD MANAGER DEREK McGrath has handed senior championship debuts to Tadgh Burke, Barry Coughlan, Colin Dunford and Austin Gleeson for Sunday’s Munster quarter-final against Cork.
Injuries have hit Waterford in the build-up to this game and created the chance for young players to be handed positions in the starting fifteen.
Burke will start at right corner-back with Coughlan also lining up in defence at left half-back. In attack Dunford will play at right half-forward while Gleeson is to start at left half-forward.
The selection marks a meteoric rise for Gleeson as he won an All-Ireland minor hurling medal last September playing at centre-back for Waterford. He did feature alongside Burke and Dunford for the county U21 side last July.
Dunford was part of the Dungarvan Colleges team that won the Croke Cup last April while Burke won a Dr Harty Cup medal with the same side in 2012.
There is also a first senior championship start for Eddie Barrett, who did come on as a substitute in last July’s thrilling qualifier extra-time loss to Kilkenny.
There are only eight survivors from the Waterford side that played in that match against the Cats with Stephen O’Keeffe, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors, Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh, Kevin Moran, Jake Dillon and Brian O’Sullivan all selected to start.
Injuries rule out Daragh Fives, Richie Foley, Jamie Barron, Stephen Molumphy, Stephen Bennett, Brian O’Halloran, Philip Mahony and Stephen Daniels. Shane O’Sullivan misses out through suspension.
WATERFORD
1. Stephen O’Keeffe – Ballygunner
2. Tadgh Burke – Clashmore/Kinsalebeg
3. Liam Lawlor – Fourmilewater
4. Noel Connors – Passage
5. Jamie Nagle – Dungarvan
6. Michael Walsh – Stradbally
7. Barry Coughlan – Ballygunner
8. Kevin Moran – De La Salle
9. Eddie Barrett – De La Salle
10. Colin Dunford – Colligan
11. Pauric Mahony – Ballygunner
12. Austin Gleeson – Mount Sion
13. Brian O’Sullivan – Ballygunner
14. Shane Walsh – Fourmilewater
15. Jake Dillon – De La Salle
Where is ray barry, seamus and shane fives had good league campaigns didnt hear of any of these being injured.
But hopefully the lads playing sunday can go well.
UP THE DEISE
Seanos will be subbed on fives was dropped in favour if coughlan
Seamus damn autocorrect
Fair enough with seamus hes not getting any younger good fella to bring on but id have fives ahead of coughlan and ray barry if not injured should be starting in my opinion
Cork to win by 4pts or more 11/10… Money for jam my friends. Get on
Spot on. McGrath seems to favour certain players he is worked with in the past. Paudi Prendergast or Shane Fives should be starting ahead of Coughlan and Ray Barry should be ahead of Brian O’Sullivan
anyone know if its possible to watch the sunday game (highlights show) abroad. RTE player dont work here in argentina for some reason
VPN. Work out at about €5 per month if you go with a third party one. Or get a nerd friend to set one up.