Cork U21 football boss John Cleary believes Damien Cahalane and Brian Hurley are ready for the rigours of senior championship football.

After featuring in Cork's recent All-Ireland U21 final defeat to Galway, the pair are expected to make their Munster SFC debuts for the Rebels against Limerick on Saturday evening, and Cleary is confident they can make the step-up.

"I think Galway might have made the mistake last weekend of throwing in too many together," Cleary said in the Irish Examiner.

"By blending one or two in along with the more experienced fellas, they're definitely good enough. They need to cut their teeth somewhere at that level and I'd have no fear of them if they were selected."

Asked specifically about full forward Hurley, Cleary said: "He's good enough, he played very well for us in the latter stages of the All-Ireland series and for Castlehaven against Nemo Rangers he was outstanding, I wouldn't hold any fears for him.

"They're 21 years of age now and, once there are experienced players around them and all the pressure wouldn't be on them, they'll do fine." Tweet

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