McCarthy pleased with juniors’ preparations

shortage of experience in the panel at the same time, with such as Newmarket’s Bart Daly, Millstreet’s Michael Vaughan, Kinsale’s Brian Coughlan and Adrigole’s David Harrington having already tasted All-Ireland success at junior level.

Daly and Coughlan were involved when Cork went all the way in 2011, while Vaughan and Harrington shared in the 2013 triumph.

Bandon’s Mark Sugrue, who, along with Kieran Histon is a member of the extended Cork senior squad, is no stranger to inter-county football either, as he has regularly worn the red jersey with distinction in the past, winning three Munster Under 21 medals between 2012 and 2014.

Cork are strongly fancied to advance at Tipp’s expense, but McCarthy contends it could be a tricky assignment, given that they will be conceding home advantage to a team which already has a championship game under the belt.

“I saw Tipp in the quarter final against Waterford, and I was very impressed by their commitment and resilience in a game that appeared to be slipping away from them at different stages.

“They were three points down with about five minutes to go in normal time, but they stuck with it to force a draw, and I thought they deserved to win it in extra-time.

“They have a good few players from Clonmel Commercials, who, after beating Nemo Rangers in the Munster final, contested an All-Ireland club semi final this year, so we certainly won’t be taking them for granted,

“Having said that, I’m very happy with our preparations, we have a good bit of work done, and if we perform to our potential, I’d be confident we can get the victory,” concluded McCarthy, who is now in his fifth year at the helm with

the juniors.