Brian Murphy is back in the Cork team for Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final against Waterford.
The two-time All-Ireland medallist, who announced his retirement at the end of 2013, was coaxed back to the squad by manager Jimmy Barry Murphy just two weeks ago, and now takes his place at corner back for Sunday's showdown at Semple Stadium, a rematch of the league final between the teams just five weeks ago.
Murphy was recalled to help cover for injured defenders Christopher Joyce and then Lorcán McLoughlin, although he wasn’t expected to start given he hasn’t played a championship match in 21 months.
Three changes
There are three changes from the team that went down to Waterford in the league final: Murphy comes into the full-back line for Aidan Ryan, with Damien Cahalane coming in for the injured McLoughlin at wing back. The other change is up front, where Luke O’Farrell is named at full forward. With Conor Lehane switching to wing forward, Rob O’Shea is the player to miss out.
Seamus Harnedy has been named at centre forward, allying fears he might miss out with a hamstring injury. The sole championship debutant is wing back Cormac Murphy, who did feature throughout the league.
More to offer
Galway manager
Anthony Cunningham
believesa clean bill of health – plus having a championship match under their belt – will be key to his team defeating Dublin in tomorrow’s Leinster hurling quarter-final replay in Tullamore.
“Some of the lads feel they can offer a lot more and that’s good,” says Cunningham. “Others were rightly pleased with the way they played and will be looking for more of the same. But the game should bring us on and not having any new injury worries, which doesn’t happen that often, is also a big help.”
In football, the Derry team which hosts Down in Sunday’s Ulster quarter-final at Celtic Park includes a debutant at full back in Brendan Rogers. Fergal Doherty has also been passed fit to take his place at midfield.
CORK (SH v Waterford): Anthony Nash; Shane O’Neill, Stephen McDonnell, Brian Murphy; Damien Cahalane, Mark Ellis, Cormac Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Aidan Walsh; Conor Lehane, Seamus Harnedy, Bill Cooper; Alan Cadogan, Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Horgan.
DERRY (SF v Down): T Mallon; O Duffy, B Rogers, D McBride; K Johnston, C McKeigue, C McFaul; N Holly, F Doherty; SL McGoldrick, M Lynch, E Lynn; B Heron, E Bradley, D Heavron.
