THREE TO WATCH FROM MALLOW

Cormac Murphy

PROBABLY the best hurler in Cork not to wear the blood and bandage for most of the 2017 campaign, Murphy is a hugely talented player who can turn a game and the scoreboard on a sixpence – if in the mood.

Murphy will be the one to watch and will be the one that is watched by a Kanturk side with plenty of players clued in as to what Murphy can bring to the table.

Murphy’s ability to split the posts from distance as well as bursting the net while on the run means that he will grab the attention of a Kanturk side well capable of racking up a nice score themselves.

Fionn O’Neill

MALLOW’S captain will have a huge say on the result. O’Neill is a leader on and off the field and his passion, enthusiasm and commitment is a source of great inspiration for those around him that fight the same fight. Defender O’Neill will be busy as Kanturk’s forward eight will be keen to test out the Mallow rearguard. O’Neill will be under quite a few of Nash’s long puck outs but knowing the Cork keeper’s affection for the laser-like short pass O’Neill’s berth at centre back may well find itself bypassed so the number six will need to be on his guard to anticipate where the action areas might end up – something that is well within O’Neill’s grasp.

Sean Hayes

MALLOW’S talisman for the past number of years will need to be at his best to keep his side’s column on the scoreboard ticking over. Mallow have plenty of sharp shooters but Hayes’ ability from the placed ball will be vital. Every opportunity within scoring range will need to be bagged and Hayes on form is definitely the man for that job. The influential striker is also adept at scoring from play and with his physical size and serious talent there is little doubt that when this one draws to a close he is likely to be the game’s top scorer.