Cork youngster O’Connor comes in for Gardiner

AN All-Ireland minor medal winner in 2001, Cian O’Connor takes over the right half-back position from the injured John Gardiner on the Cork team to play Wexford in next Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park.

It will be a tough baptism of fire for the 20-year-old versatile Erins Own defender who was on the Cork U-21 beaten in the Munster final by Tipperary last week.

H only senior championship start came against Kerry in the opening round of the provincial competition when he played at left corner-back.