Major re-shuffle in attack as Cork minors set to face Kilkenny

THE Cork minor hurling selectors have made a number of changes, particularly in attack for Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling championship semi-final against Kilkenny at Croke Park, 1.45pm throw-in.

Jer O’Leary, Brian Canty, James Bowles and Michael Allen have all been omitted and are replaced by Owen Manning, Ronan Conway, Aisake Ó hAilpín and Maurice O’Sullivan. The first three came on as subs against Offaly and have held their places.

Mark Harrington moves to right half forward from midfield and Brendan Barry is switched to full forward from right half forward.

The subs bench is notable for the inclusion of Diarmuid Dorris (Glen Rovers) who was hugely impressive with his club in the recent city championship, and Alan O’Connor who is also a county minor footballer.

The Kilkenny team shows two changes in personnel from that which defeated Offaly in the Leinster final.

Pat Hartley replaces Austin Murphy to form a new midfield partnership with Michael Fennelly, while Ray Wall replaces Michael Nolan at right corner forward.

Up front, Alan Healy is the only player to hold his place in the half forward. David McCormack moves from full forward to right half forward while Richie Power who was at midfield last time out now leads the attack.

McCormack place’s at full forward goes to James Fitzpatrick who was at right half forward in the provincial decider.

The team contains several members of the victorious St Kierans team which won the All-Ireland colleges title defeating St Colmans in a one sided final earlier this year.

Full back John Tennyson, centre back Donncha Cody who is son of senior coach Brian, and Richie Power are considered to be three of the most exciting talents that Kierans and Kilkenny have produced in recent years.

CORK: E. O’Sullivan (Carrigaline); E. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea), N. Horgan (Glen Rovers), S. O’Neill (Bishopstown); S. Cronin (St. Mary’s), M. Aherne (Ballinhassig), B. Clifford (Lisgoold); O. Manning (Valley Rovers), B. Coleman (Ballyhea); M. Harrington (Douglas), K. Canty (Valley Rovers), R. Conway (Bishopstown); A. Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh), B. Barry (Killeagh), M. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea); Subs. C. Barry (St. Vincents), M. Foley (Carrigtwohill), D. Lucey (Bandon), S. Flannery (Carrigtwohill), M. Allen (Ballygiblin), J. Bowles (Newtown), M. O’Connor (Cobh), D. Dorris (Glen Rovers), A. O’Connor (St. Colums).

KILKENNY: C. Grant; S. Cadigan, J. Tennyson, J. Dalton; P. O’Donovan, D. Cody, D. Prendergast; P. Hartley, M. Fennelly; D. McCormack, R. Power, A. Healy; R. Wall, J. Fitzpatrick, E. Guinan.