GAELIC GAMES:CORK MANAGER Conor Counihan has given his team a shake-up for this weekend's Munster football semi-final with Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The All-Ireland champions show six changes to the team that defeated Clare in last month's first round, as a number of players get the chance to stake a claim for places.
There are four alterations in defence: corner backs Eoin Cotter and Eoin Cadogan (suspended the last day) come in for Ray Carey and Jamie O’Sullivan whereas the experienced duo of John Miskella and Paudie Kissane join captain Graham Canty in the half-back line instead of Denis O’Sullivan and Noel O’Leary.
Up front Paul Kerrigan is back from injury and replaces David Goold with Fiachra Lynch coming in for former All Star Pearse O’Neill at wing forward.
Opponents Waterford won’t be naming their side until tonight.
Ulster champions Tyrone introduce one debutant, corner forward Mark Donnelly, for Sunday’s re-run of last year’s provincial final against Monaghan. Captain Brian Dooher starts his first match of the season and former Footballer of the Year Stephen O’Neill is also available again.
Galway hurlers begin their championship campaign tomorrow evening against Westmeath, who defeated Carlow in the Leinster hurling championship preliminary round. As expected Joe Canning misses out because of a hamstring strain and Iarla Tannian and Ger Farragher are also injured. Fergal Moore makes a welcome championship return after missing last year through injury.
Opponents Westmeath make just one personnel change to the team that surprised Carlow, Derek McNicholas coming in at full forward with Alan Devine dropping to the bench.
Meanwhile GAA president Christy Cooney has dismissed suggestions that funding for the Gaelic Players Association schemes might be in breach of equality provisions.
“My reaction is as follows: we are responsible for the promotion of hurling and football, we have not got a responsibility for ladies football and camogie. If camogie and ladies football want to look at that matter as regards to their players forming a Gaelic Players Association under their jurisdiction, that’s a matter for them. That’s a decision for them.”
CORK (SFC v Waterford): A Quirke; E Cotter, M Shields, E Cadogan; G Canty, J Miskella, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; C Sheehan, P Kelly, F Lynch; D Goulding, D O’Connor, P Kerrigan.
TYRONE (SFC v Monaghan): P McConnell, M Swift, C McCarron, R McMenamin, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, A Cassidy, S Cavanagh, B Dooher, B McGuigan, P Harte, M Penrose, S O’Neill, M Donnelly.
MONAGHAN (SFC v Tyrone): M Keogh; K Duffy, D Hughes, C Walshe; C Galligan, D Mone, O Duffy; O Lennon, D Clerkin; S Gallogly, M Downey, N McAdam; D McKenna, P Finlay, C McManus.
GALWAY (SHC v Westmeath): J Skehill; D Joyce, D Collins, F Moore; J Coen, J Lee, A Cullinane; D Burke, K Hynes; B Daly, C Donnellan, A Smith; D Hayes, J Gantley, A Callinan.
WESTMEATH (SHC v Galway): C Scally; C Flanagan, D McCormack, A McGrath; E Price, A Mitchell, P Gilsenan; N Flanagan, B Smyth; C Curley, P Greville, B Murtagh; J Shaw, D McNicholas, D Carthy.
KERRY (Ring Cup final SH v Wicklow): B Rochford; P O’Grady, J Godley, E Fitzgerald; C Harris, J Casey, A Keane; D Dinneen, J Griffin; D O’Connell, G O’Brien, M Boyle; S Nolan, M Conway, J Egan.
