The do-or-die nature of Sunday’s National Hurling League Division One A game away to All-Ireland champions Kilkenny isn’t lost on Cork, who – bedevilled by injuries as well as the necessity of a win if they are to avoid a relegation play-off – have made four changes from the side that salvaged a draw with Galway last weekend.
Stephen White, from the Ballygarvan club, has been drafted into the half-back line to replace the injured William Egan, who suffered bad bruising to his hand in the match with Galway.
There were initial fears that Egan had broken a bone in his hand but scans earlier this week confirmed it was soft tissue damage, which means he could – if Cork win and other results go their way – reappear in time for any possible semi-final.
Cork’s other changes see Daniel Kearney come back into the team to partner Pa Cronin at midfield in place of Tom Kenny; Cian McCarthy rejoins the attack in place of Séamus Harnedy, who is unavailable due to injury, while Stephen Moylan is named at corner forward in place of Adrian Mannix.
Manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s selection problems were compounded by the continued absences of Jamie Coughlan and Stephen McDonnell due to injury.
Tipperary have made wholesale changes for the encounter with Clare, with a semi-final spot at stake: Darren Gleeson returns between the posts in place of veteran Brendan Cummins, while Paddy Stapleton, Conor O'Mahony, Brendan Maher, John O'Dwyer and Eoin Kelly all returning to the starting line-up instead of Donagh Maher, Thomas Stapleton, James Woodlock, Brian O'Meara and Adrian Ryan.
Sutcliffe out
Dublin forward Danny Sutcliffe is set to miss Dublin's Division One B encounter with Carlow at Parnell Park on Sunday, but manager Anthony Daly is likely to have Ryan O'Dwyer – who has missed the opening matches of the campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery – back for a match which is expected to see his side set up a final encounter with Limerick. Conal Keaney is also set to return after a spell out injured.
A win for Dublin would see Daly’s men claim a final clash with Limerick, with dual bonuses on offer, promotion to Division 1A next season and, more immediately, a place in the Division One semi-finals.
The Division 1B final is scheduled for Sunday week – April 7th – but, with Limerick footballers playing Clare the same day and a clash with Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins,the game could yet be brought forward to Saturday evening, with Thurles or Portlaoise as likely venues.
Down – threatened with relegation with one match remaining in Division One of the National Football League – have three players set to take time out from football and travel to the US for the summer.
Paul McComiskey, Darren O’Hagen and Arthur McConville are understood to be planning to depart for the summer, which would be a huge blow to Down’s championship hopes this summer. Down finish their league campaign against Kildare on Sunday week.
CORK (SH v Kilkenny) - A Nash; S O'Neill, B Murphy, C O'Sullivan; L McLoughlin, C Joyce, S White; D Kearney, P Cronin; C Lehane, C McCarthy, P O'Sullivan; S Moylan, L O'Farrell, P Horgan.
TIPPERARY (SH v Clare) - D Gleeson; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; C O'Brien, C O'Mahony, P Maher; B Maher, S McGrath; S Bourke, L Cornett, J O'Dwyer; E Kelly, S Callanan, N McGrath.
LIMERICK (SH v Wexford) - A Murphy; A Dempsey, R McCarthy, M Carmody; C King, W McNamara, T Ryan; C Allis, J Ryan; S Dowling; P Ahern, N Moran; S Tobin, T Quaid, A Breen.
MEATH (SH v Armagh) - S McGann; W Mahady, D Healy, C Reilly; S Brenann, J Togher, S Heavey; S Morris, S Donoghue; P Conneely, S Clynch, E March; B Slevin, M O'Sullivan, A Gannon.
MAYO (SH v Down) - D O'Brien; A Brennan, S Morley, B Hunt; C Finn, P O'Flynn, C Charlton; P O'Grady, G Nolan; S Hoban, D McDonnell, N O'Malley; D McTigue, S Regan, K Feeney.
ANTRIM (SF v Meath) - J Finucane; K O'Boyle, A McClean, S Finch; T Scullion, J Crozier, D McCann; L Carland, S McVeigh; C Murray, K Niblock, B Herron; P Cunningham, C Kelly, T McCann.
