Cork experiment again for Tipp clash

CONTINUING to experiment, the Cork selectors have made a number of changes on the team to play Tipperary in Division 1B of the Allianz NHL at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday from that which stole a last-gasp victory over Offaly.

Ballinhassig’s Martin Coleman takes over in goal from Donal Óg Cusack. John Gardiner, who started the Offaly game at midfield, is now at right half back, with Graham Callinan getting a deserved rest.

Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and Adrian Coughlan return. Ó hAilpín takes over his customary left half back position with Coughlan partnering Tom Kenny at midfield. Kenny came on as a sub during the course of the Offaly game, while Coughlan was kept in reserve as his Blackrock colleague Paul Tierney strutted his stuff in the middle of the park.

The half forward line is Jonathon O’Callaghan, Michael Byrne and Tierney. Two-goal hero Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields is retained at right corner forward. Eamonn Collins is named at full-forward with Brendan Lombard moving to left corner forward in place of Seanie McGrath.

Because of injuries to four of their players, Brendan Cummins, David Kennedy, Eddie Enright and Lar Corbett, the Tipperary selectors have decided to defer the naming of their team for the big clash.

Allstar goalkeeper Cummins, who scored a remarkable goal in last Sunday’s victory over Antrim, later picked up a foot injury in that game. Both Kennedy and Enright were forced to retire. Kennedy with a damaged finger and Enright after sustaining a wrist injury.

Lar Corbett missed the Antrim game because of hamstring trouble and all four wounded warriors were consulting with the team’s medic last night before a definite decision on their possible availability will be taken.

Following their superb, high-scoring victory over Waterford last weekend, Galway have been forced to make one change on their side for Sunday’s showdown with Laois at Pearse Stadium.Wing forward David Tierney has been ruled out with a broken finger and is replaced by Mark Kerins.

Kilkenny, who will name their team tonight for Sunday’s home game against Dublin, are hopeful that midfielder Paddy Mullally and full forward Henry Shefflin will be given the all-clear to line-out.

Both were in the wars during the quite torrid clash with Clare in Ennis last weekend. Mullally had three stitches inserted in a wound below his right eye, while Shefflin was carried off in a neck brace.

Antrim, who have yet to gain a point in the competition expect their Dunloy contingent to be back in action for Sunday’s home game with Limerick at Casement Park.

Colm McGuckian, Colm Cunning, Malachy Molloy and the Richmond brothers, Liam and Paddy, all missed the previous rounds because of their club’s involvement in the All-Ireland series.

CORK (SH v Tipperary): M. Coleman; W. Sherlock, D. O'Sullivan, M. Prendergast; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. og Ó hAilpín; T. Kenny, A. Coughlan; J. O'Callaghan, M. Byrne, P. Tierney; K. Murphy (Sarsfields), E. Collins, B. Lombard.

GALWAY (SH v Laois): L. O'Donoghue; D. Joyce, D. Cloonan, O. Canning; D. Hardiman, David Hayes, F. Moore; F. Healy, T og Regan; M. Kerins, D. Forde, R. Gantley; Damien Hayes, E. Cloonan, A. Kerins.

TYRONE (NFL v Cork): P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Gourley, M McGee; B Donnelly, G Devlin, P Jordan; K Hughes, G Cavlan; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; M Harte, O Mulligan, E McGinley.