As if alerted by alarm bells, a significant number of heavyweights from Cork's All-Ireland-winning side have taken up arms ahead of Sunday's crunch clash against Tipperary.
Like a host of big-time teams this season, Cork found last Sunday that to enter the last straight of a close match against Waterford can be a most unhappy experience. Following their galling last-minute loss to a Barry Walsh goal, manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy has summoned a number of old reliables.
Wayne Sherlock, the economical half back, midfielder Mickey O'Connell and forwards Joe Deane and Neil Ronan return to the starting line-up. All four were introduced as substitutes last week. Alan Browne, who hit five points from frees on Sunday, is among the demoted.
Indeed, the only absentee from the All-Ireland winning team is Sean O hAilpin, who is suffering from a double injury. Having just recovered from a shoulder injury, the dual player had opted to travel with the footballers to Tyrone last weekend.
However, he also missed that match, having picked up a knock during training. As a consequence, Derek Barrett is the only player on the side not to have started in last September's showpiece.
Eamon Cregan has made three changes to the Limerick team to face Dublin. Team captain Clement Smith is out with injury and Dave Ryan and James Moran are demoted.
Stephen Lucey comes in at corner-back while Tom McLoughlan will line out at centre half forward.
James Butler also comes back into the forward line. Both Lucey and Butler came off the bench in the win against Clare last weekend, which gave the young Munster side second place in Division 1A.
Offaly will name their side to face Clare tomorrow night. Brian Whelahan will once more be absent and regular full back Kevin Kinahan will rest his hamstring injury for another week.
Ger Loughnane, clearly disappointed by his side's timid display against Limerick, also plans to name a team tomorrow night. Brian Lohan remains an absentee and it is also thought unlikely that Seanie McMahon will feature as Loughnane attempts to re-invigorate his team with the drive and personality which set them apart in recent years.
Kilkenny planned to select a side last night but will announce it this evening after informing the players. Brian Cody's side responded well to their morale-sapping loss against Waterford by overcoming Tipperary last week.
The main cause for concern is goalkeeper James McGarry, who was stretchered off and hospitalised with concussion after a clash with Tipperary's John Carroll.
Pat O'Neill continues to struggle to shake off the injury which has curtailed his League appearances and, as expected, DJ Carey will not be ready for Sunday.
Cork (SH): D Og Cusack; F Ruan, D O'Sullivan, J Browne; W Sherlock, B Corcoran, D Barrett; M Landers, M O'Connell; T McCarthy, F McCormack, S McGrath; B O'Connor, N Ronan, J Deane.
Limerick (SH): T Houlihan; S McDonagh, TJ Ryan, S Lucey; R Geary, O Moran, M Foley; J Foley, M O'Brien; S O'Neill, T McLoughlane, M Keane; J Butler, B Begley, B Foley.
Tipperary (SH v Cork): B Cummins; P Ormonde, P Maher, M Ryan; N Morris, D Kennedy, E Corcoran; E Enright, E O'Neill; M O'Leary, J Carroll, A Moloney; G Maguire, P Shelly, T Dunne.
Brian Burns has joined Paudie Matthews on the injured list of the relegation-threatened Down football team. Paul Shields, Paddy Sloan and Kieran Byrne are carrying knocks, but James McCartan and Sean Ward may be passed fit.
Tyrone's Paul Devlin and Adrian Cush have dropped out of contention for places in the championship because of work commitments.
