Cork have announced their team for Sunday's Munster JFC semi-final against Kerry in Killarney. The Rebels, who defeated Waterford by 1-14 to 1-4 in the opening round, are able to call on senior panellists Paddy O'Shea and Andrew O'Sullivan, despite the fact that the seniors are also playing Kerry on Sunday. All-Ireland under 21 winners Chris O'Donovan and Colm O'Driscoll have also been included in the side. Cork (JFC v Kerry): P. O'Shea (St Vincent's); P. Gayer (Castlemagnier), E. Wiseman (Castletownbere), M. Prout (Shamrocks); R. O'Sullivan (Kinsale), A. Fenton (St. Vincent's) M. Fehily (Diarmuid O'Mathunas); A. O'Sullivan (Castletownbere), C. O'Donovan (Valley Rovers); D. O'Donovan (Kilmacabee), C. Keane (Newcestown), C. O'Driscoll (Thadgh Mac Cartaigh); V. Hurley (Courcey Rovers), F. Lynch (Valley Rover), JP Murphy (St. Vincent's).

Now that the race has started for Liam McCarthy in September, can any County realistically stop Kilkenny achieving an historic four in a row. The pundits view is that Tipperary are the side that could halt the Cats and given that both sides are hot favourites to win their Provincial Crowns, they would be on course to meet each other in the final. The Premier Counties defence of their Provincial Crown got off the ground with a hard earned victory over a gutsy Cork side at the weekend. Tipperary are now benefiting from the underage success of recent sides and that is being passed on to Liam Sheedy who has ferocious competition for places in his squad. That competitiveness was possibly what got Tipp over the line and also possibly Barry Kelly’s borderline decisions against Cork. You would expect Tipperary to improve from the victory and easily account for Clare in a Munster Semi Final.

Holders Tipperary had to battle all the way to the final whistle as they claimed a 1-19 to 0-19 victory over Cork in a thriller at scorching Semple Stadium. Seamus Callinan's 36th-minute goal was the difference between the teams but the Premier County were unable to pull away against a stubborn, defiant Rebel side. The goal put seven points in it and Tipperary looked like they might cruise. However, Cork fought back into the game and had the better of the second half. They closed within a point but could never get level. Benny Dunne came off the bench to fire two crucial points for the defending provincial champions as the Rebels were left to rue a missed Pat Horgan penalty and a disallowed Timmy McCarthy goal. The hosts had the better of the first half eventually. The first twenty minutes were even but Tipperary then pulled away to establish a six-point lead before Cork closed the opening period with two late frees to remain within striking distance at the short whistle, 0-13 to 0-9.

Former Aussie Rules player Aisake O hAilpin is one of two championship newcomers to the Cork team for Sunday's Munster SHC opener against Tipperary at Thurles. Conor O'Sullivan is the other debutant at corner back, where he will line out alongside Eoin Cadogan who assumes the full back position from the recently-retired Diarmuid O'Sullivan. But it is the selection of the 6'5" O hAilpin at full forward that provides the biggest talking point of new manager Denis Walsh's first championship selection. Since returning from a four-year stint with AFL club Carlton, with whom his brother Setanta still plays, the 23-year-old has been involved with both the Cork football and hurling squads, having only recently joined Denis Walsh's panel. However, he has impressed enough in recent challenge matches to join his older brother Sean Og in the starting XV, with the former All-Ireland winning captain having shaken off injury concerns to line out alongside John Gardiner and Ronan Curran in the half back line.

Cork advanced to a semi final meeting against Kerry following this comfortable 2-18 to 1-7 win over Waterford at Fraher Field. The Leesiders were in control from early on and they thoroughly deserved this victory as Waterford were just out of their depth. For Cork Donnacha O'Connor put in a man of the match display, but that honour may well go to Waterford defender Wayne Hennessy who was outstanding throughout. Waterford manager John Kiely opted to start dual stars Gary Hurney and Shane Walsh as the Decies set about causing an upset. Walsh was named at midfield where he lined up alongside UCC student Sean O'Hare, and the Nire man's availability was all the more welcome given the absence through injury of Mick Ahearne.

Ray Carey and Paul O'Flynn will make their Munster SFC debuts for Cork against Waterford in Dungarvan on Sunday. Clyda Rovers clubman Carey is named at right corner back with Ballyclough's O'Flynn selected at right half forward. Nemo Rangers' Paul Kerrigan will also make his first championship at left half forward, having come on as a substitute on two occasions last year. The team shows two changes from the side that defeated Monaghan in the NFL Division 2 final last month with a fit-again John Miskella replacing Noel O'Leary at right half back, and Pearse O'Neill also returning from injury to replace Patrick Kelly at centre forward.

With only just two weeks to the trip to Tipp to take on Munster Champions, Tipperary, and most peoples opinion of the nearside side to threaten Kilkenny’s four in a row, what is Cork’s best 15 to take on Tipperary? The bookies would easily give you id say 100/1 if you could read Denis Walsh’s mind and pick all his starting fifteen . With the damage limitation of relegation avoided in a best forgotten League Campaign . Cork management normally treat the League as a means of blooding players with an eye for the Championship and with the uncertainty regarding the future of many of the Senior player’s futures, this seemed even more important this year than ever. In an unprecedented situation for Cork Hurling with the Rebel County having to change management towards the end of the League and an experienced panel of ex Cork Hurlers coming up with Denis Walsh as the man to steer the ship out of stormy waters. To be honest the Imokilly man came in under the radar as far as Cork Supporters were concerned but to be fair a man who has no baggage from previous turbulent times may prove a wise and maybe the only choice they had.