Cork give Brady and Halbert nod against Limerick

CHAMPIONS Cork make two changes from the team which defeated Waterford in the semi-final for Sunday’s Munster minor hurling championship final against Limerick in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

Alan Brady comes in to partner Peter O’Driscoll at midfield and John Halbert, who came on as a sub in the semi-final, keeps his place at left corner forward. Ross Cashman and Peter Finnegan lose out.

There are a number of positional switches as a result. Cathal Naughton switches to left half forward from midfield; Paudie O’Sullivan moves from an attacking role to a defensive one, taking over the centre-back position from Cashman, while Peter O’Brien mans the full forward spot.

Surprisingly, there is no place, even on the bench for Bishopstown’s Denis Crowley who played in the opening round against Kerry.

There is one change on the Limerick team from the side which trounced Tipperary. Right corner back Sean Brown, who came on as a sub in that game for Ross Kennedy, holds his place at right corner back. There are five players from current county champions, Kilmallock.

The counties last met in the final in 2000, when Cork won 2-19 to 1-10.

Wexford include two seniors on their U-21 team for tonight’s Leinster hurling championship semi-final against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Wexford Park (7.30 p.m.).

Andrew Kavanagh, who captains the side, plays at left corner back, while Ciaran Kenny is at centre-back.

Kilkenny will field five seniors, Eoin Larkin, Richie Power, John Tennyson, Willie O’Dwyer and ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick and look unbeatable, at least on paper.

CORK (MHC v Limerick): R. O’Keeffe (Mayfield); E. O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), E. Dillon (Milford), G. O’Driscoll (Newcestown); S. White (Ballygarvan), P. O’Sullivan (Cloyne), T. Murray (Bishopstown); P. O’Driscoll (Whites Cross), A. Brady (Na Piarsaigh); P. Cronin (Bishopstown), E. Murphy (Erins Own), C. Naughton (Newtownshandrum); P. Horgan (Glen Rovers), P. O’Brien (Kildorrery), J. Halbert (Watergrasshill). Subs: M. Collins (Ballinhassig), C. O’Driscoll (Oliver Plunketts), R. Cashman (Kilbrittain), D. Lynch (Valley Rovers), A. Fenton (St. Vincent’s), J. Jordan (Blarney), S. Moylan (Douglas), D. O’Callaghan (Ballinhassig), A. Mannix (Kilworth), P. Finnegan (Aghabullogue).

LIMERICK (MHC v Cork): G. Flynn (Croom); S. Brown (Newcastlewest), L. Hurley (Kilmallock), T. Condon (Knockaderry); J. Kelly (Kilmallock), D. Moloney (Kilfinane), S. Hickey (Murroe/Boher); D. Moore (Monagea), D. Hanley (Knockaderry); G. O’Mahony (Kilmallock), J. Ryan (Garryspillane), B. O’Sullivan (Kilmallock); D. O’Sullivan (Knockaderry), D. O’Connor (Granagh/Ballingarry), E. Ryan (Kilmallock); Subs. P. Kennedy (Na Piarsaigh), R. McCarthy (Kilfinane), S. Herlihy (Monagea), R. Kennedy (Adare), G. Allis (Doon), C. Noonan (Feoghanagh), M. Ryan (Doon), G. Collins (Milford).

WEXFORD (U-21 HC v Kilkenny): D. Flynn; J. Roche, B. Kenny, A. Kavanagh; J. Tnks, C. Kenny, R. Kehoe; C. Breen, M. Heffernan; P. Doran, M. Doyle, J. Berry; P. White, S. Nolan, M. Kelly. Subs.M. Kinsella, S. Morris, P. Ryan, W. Whelan, C. Farrell, R. Flynn, D. Foran, PJ Nolan, E. Quigley.