Sport

O'Brien returns to patrol his familiar beat

CORK have made three personnel changes for their National League Division Two match with Armagh this Sunday

By SEAN MORAN
Wed Feb 21 1996 - 00:00

CORK have made three personnel changes for their National League Division Two match with Armagh this Sunday. Potentially more significant is the positional switch which sees Steven O'Brien revert from centre forward to centre back, the position at which he has operated in recent championships for the county.

Elsewhere, Brian Murphy of Clonakilty, who has served a long apprenticeship on the bench, comes in at corner back for Tadgh Og Lynch and Kevin Cowhie moves out to make way for O'Brien.

Up front, twice All-Ireland medallist Paul McGrath, who came on as a substitute against Leitrim the last day and scored two points, regains his place at right corner and Michael Moran from Bantry Blues makes his first appearance, replacing O'Brien in the half forwards.

All-Ireland champions Dublin make two changes, for the trip to Down on Sunday, from the side that surprised joint-leaders Cavan 10 days ago. Jim Gavin comes in for his first match since the All-Ireland final in September and displaces Mick Galvin at left corner forward. Paul Curran has served his two-week suspension and replaces Ger Regan at right wing back.

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Kildare make three changes from the side that defeated Meath at Navan 10 days ago for their critical, Division One visit to Ballyshannon this weekend. Defeat for the visitors could see them relegated whereas for Donegal, it could cost them a quarter-final place.

Into the team come Sean O'Rourke, Ken Doyle and Paul McCormack. They replace Peter McConnon, Anthony Rainbow and John Whelan respectively. Rainbow has returned to Lebanon to resume his UN duty.

Speculation that fit-again Martin Lynch might be included proved unfounded as Niall Buckley and Martin Murray are selected at centrefield. Lynch may be on the substitutes' bench which has yet to be named.

Clare, already relegated from Division One, make three changes in attack for the visit of Kerry to Ennis. Odran O'Dwyer and John Enright are selected on the right wing of the attack instead of Tom Kirwan and Padraig Conway. Gerry Killeen, at centre forward, makes his first appearance for nearly 18 months with Martin Daly moving to the left corner and Kieran Considine losing out.

A number of teams have deferred selection until late in the week. Derry name tomorrow night, while Armagh wait until Sunday morning before naming the side to play Cork.

Gerry Flanagan is named in Leitrim's team to play Westmeath in Division Two. It is the Aughawillan player's first start in the League and he comes in for Kieran McGovern who played the last match against Cork.