Canty moves to full-back spot for Cork

THE Cork team to play Armagh in Crossmaglen on Sunday in round two of the Allianz NFL shows three changes from the team which defeated Kerry last Saturday night.

Alan O’Connor, who came on at centre-back as a second-half substitute for the injured Graham Canty, takes over at full-back from Niall Geary.

Padraig Kissane comes in for Derek Kavanagh at left half forward while Conrad Murphy replaces Alan Cronin at right corner forward.

Twelve of the team are named in the same positions from the Kerry match. Brendan Ger O’Sullivan and Fionan Murray are both included despite being sent off against Kerry. They each received two yellow cards and a red which meant they only missed the remainder of the game.

Despite limping out of last Saturday’s game with injuries, both Eoin Sexton and Graham Canty are named in their usual positions. Of the two, Canty’s ankle injury appeared to be the more serious, but he is expected to recover fully following intensive treatment.

None of the Nemo Rangers players are included because of their upcoming All-Ireland Club semi-final against Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone) in two weeks time.

Armagh won’t announce a team until tonight and according to team coach Joe Kernan, it’s expected to be along the same lines as played against Dublin last Sunday. Referring to Cork’s victory over Kerry, Kernan said that he was hugely impressed by their commitment.

“Clearly they wanted to win it more than Kerry, and they will provide us with another severe test next Sunday. We are looking forward to their visit as we’ve always had a good rapport with the Rebel County”, said Kiernan.

In Tyrone, Cormac McAnallen looks like losing his race against time to be fit for the visit of Galway to Pomeroy this weekend. The Tyrone midfielder missed last Sunday's defeat at Roscommon due to a kneecap injury and is likely to be forced to sit out the defending champions’ second NFL tie as well.

McAnallen and midfield partner Kevin Hughes were both forced to cry off at the eleventh hour for the visit to Hyde Park, but Hughes is hopeful that he will be able to make his return at Plunkett Park. An ankle injury is responding well to treatment and rest, and his return to the engine room would be a huge boost to the Red Hands.

Manager Mickey Harte was forced into late call-ups to the squad for his league debut following the withdrawal of the Errigal Ciaran players and a subsequent spate of injuries. Now he has urged the three players called into the squad, defender Ciaran McCrory, midfielder Peter Donnelly and attacker Michael Coleman, to seize the opportunity.

“They will be there again this weekend for we need adequate cover and an opportunity may present itself that until now was not there for them,” he said. “And if it does, then I’m sure they will be ready to seize it with both hands.”

With the Sigerson Cup swinging into action this afternoon and tomorrow, several county managers have had to postpone naming their teams until after these games.

CORK (SF v Armagh): K. O’Dwyer (O’Donovan Rossa); N. O’Donovan (Bishopstown), A. O’Connor (Charleville), A. Lynch (Naomh Abán); E. Sexton (Kilbrittain), G. Canty (Bantry Blues), N. O’Leary (Cill na Martyra); N. Murphy (Carrigaline), B. Collins (Castlehaven); BG O’Sullivan (Adrigole), M. Ó Croinín (Naomh Abán), P. Kissane (Clyda Rovers); C. Murphy (Clonakilty), F. Murray (St. Finbarrs), C. Crowley (Castlehaven). Subs. K. Murphy (Boherbue), S. Levis (Muintir Bhaire), J. Miskella (Ballincollig), K. Murphy (Erins Own), J. O’Donoghue (St. Finbarrs), D. O’Sullivan (Cloyne), R. O’Mahony (St. Finbarrs), C. McCarthy (O’Donovan Rossa).