No changes as Cork’s injured duo passed fit

WITH Pat Mulcahy and Brian Corcoran passed fit to play, the Cork selectors have kept faith with the side that started the Munster final against Tipp for Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland quarter-final showdown with Waterford at Croke Park.

Mulcahy was on crutches after picking up a heel injury playing with his club Newtownshandrum, but took part in a practice game over the weekend and obviously did enough to convince the medical team and the selectors.

After scoring a spectacular point in the Munster final, Brian Corcoran was forced to withdraw with a damaged shoulder. At first the worst was feared but the dual All-star has fought his way back to full fitness.

There are no starting places for Neil Ronan, who scored three magnificent points on his introduction after Corcoran was injured in the provincial decider, or Wayne Sherlock, who is still struggling with a groin injury.

Perhaps the most difficult decision for the selectors was who to play at left half forward.

The man in possession, Timmy McCarthy of Castlelyons, was replaced by Kieran Murphy of Erins Own during the Munster final. Murphy is playing great stuff, but the selectors went for McCarthy’s greater experience.

The Waterford team will be announced tomorrow night as will both the Wexford and Clare teams, who are involved in the other quarter-final at Headquarters on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Padraig Nolan has resigned as manager of Kildare after three years in the job.

Nolan’s season started promisingly when his charges recorded a shock victory over Westmeath in the Leinster Championship. However, the season turned sour with a hammering from Laois in the semi-final and matters went from bad to worse when they fell to Sligo in the qualifiers.

There is speculation in Clare that at least one change will be made from the team that defeated Waterford in the qualifiers. Andrew Quinn is reported to be under pressure from David Forde and Daithí O’Connell could take the number 15 shirt.

CORK (SHC v Waterford): D . og Cusack; P. Mulcahy, D. O’Sullivan, B. Murphy; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. og Ó h-Ailpin; T. Kenny, J. O’Connor; B. O’Connor, N. McCarthy, T. McCarthy; K. Murphy (Sarsfields), B. Corcoran, J. Deane.