Cork make three changes to the team that lost to All-Ireland champions Kilkenny for tomorrow evening’s visit of Clare to Páirc Uí Rinn. Both counties lost their opening match of the league season but for Cork it will be particularly important, as they will have just one home match remaining after the weekend.
Manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy brings in Lorcán McLoughlin, Rob O’Shea and Luke O’Farrell at wing back, wing forward and full forward, respectively.
The players to lose out are former captain Patrick Cronin, Bill Cooper and Paudie O'Sullivan. Cooper is one of three players, along with Stephen McDonnell and Jamie Coughlan, not considered because of injury. The counties have seen a lot of each other in the past two seasons, playing six times in 2013 between Waterford Crystal, twice in the league including a relegation play-off that went to extra time, once in the Munster championship and in the replayed All-Ireland final. They also met in last year's Munster semi-final with Cork eliminating the then All-Ireland champions.
Galway, who defeated Clare in last weekend's opening series, have left a vacancy at left corner back with Fergal Moore and Pádraig Mannion due to undergo a fitness test at training last night to see who replaces Ronan Burke for the trip to Thurles on Sunday to face Tipperary.
The counties met twice last year with Galway winning the league encounter but getting beaten during the summer in the All-Ireland qualifiers. It was a match that Galway looked to be controlling until a final-quarter revival by Tipp saw them run out 3-25 to 4-13 winners.
Springboard
The win proved a springboard for Tipperary to reach the All-Ireland final, as they racked up victories over Offaly, Dublin and Cork.
Limerick manager TJ Ryan has made four changes from the side that drew with Waterford for the journey to Antrim on Sunday. James Ryan and Shane Dowling are back on board in place of Cathal King and Patrick Begley. Tom Morrissey replaces Niall Moran who has retired and Dan Morrissey also comes in for Gavin O'Mahony.
