Cork Unveils 36-Man Squad for Allianz Hurling League Defence

Kanturk pair Brian O’Sullivan and Alan Walsh are among the notable inclusions in the 36-man Cork senior hurling panel for the upcoming Allianz Hurling League campaign. The Rebels, who bridged a 27-year gap to win the league last year, begin the defence of their title next Sunday with a home clash against Waterford (3.45pm) and new manager Ben O’Connor and his selectors have whittled back their squad after assessing potential inclusions during the Canon O’Brien Cup and Co-op SuperStores Munster Senior Hurling League. Pádraig Power of Blarney is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury but is expected to be back to full fitness in the coming weeks. Alan Walsh shone when given an opportunity with Cork and has also impressed as MTU Cork have booked a Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final spot, with his aerial ability a major asset. His colleague, midfield O’Sullivan, who was briefly involved under Pat Ryan, has earned a recall, with Watergrasshill’s Dáire O’Leary another called back in after being involved previously. St Finbarr’s Ben Cunningham saw some game-time in the league in 2023 and was on the panel in 2025 but injury ruled him out last year. Cunningham’s clubmate William Buckley was not on the squad named at the beginning of 2025 but played himself into contention and was named on the bench for the Munster SHC game against Waterford. Fr O’Neill’s goalkeeper Paudie O’Sullivan trained with the group last year too and that pair are also included, along with Brian Keating of Ballincollig and Hugh O’Connor of Newmarket. Those who were involved in 2025 but are no longer on the panel include the retired Patrick Horgan, Conor Lehane, Luke Meade, Jack O’Connor, Jack Cahalane, Darragh Flynn, Robbie Cotter and Daniel Hogan as well as cruciate victim Cathal McCarthy. It means that county champions Sarsfields do not have a player on the 37. St Finbarr’s have the greatest representation, with five on the panel as Cunningham and Buckley join Brian Hayes, Damien Cahalane and Ethan Twomey – along with Jack Cahalane, Ciarán Doolan also featured in the Munster league – while Blarney, Fr O’Neills and Glen Rovers have three each. Cork panel for 2026 Allianz Hurling League: Brian Keating (Ballincollig), Patrick Collins, Darragh O’Sullivan (both Ballinhassig), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Shane Barrett, Mark Coleman (vice-captain), Pádraig Power (all Blarney), Brian Roche, Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Darragh Fitzgibbon (captain, Charleville), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Declan Dalton, Ger Millerick, Paudie O‘Sullivan (all Fr O’Neill’s), Eoin Downey, Robert Downey, Micheál Mullins (all Glen Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), Brian O’Sullivan, Alan Walsh (both Kanturk), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), Tommy O’Connell, Brion Saunderson (both Midleton), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket), Cormac O’Brien, Tim O’Mahony (both Newtownshandrum), William Buckley, Damien Cahalane, Ben Cunningham, Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey (all St Finbarr’s), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Dáire O’Leary (Watergrasshill).