Clifford’s chance to resurrect career

PHILIP CLIFFORD has been given the chance to resurrect his inter-county career after being picked at right corner-forward on the Cork team for Saturday’s Allianz NFL against Westmeath at Páirc Uí Rinn (7.30pm).

The former captain opted out of the scene following Cork's crushing defeat by Kerry in the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final, but following a change of team management, new coach Billy Morgan has coaxed the Bantry Blues man back.

Clifford has shown glimpses of his potential in recent challenge games against Clare, Galway and Wexford. He has also been showing good form in training, and Morgan and his fellow selectors had little option but to start him in Saturday's live TV game.

The team chosen includes one debutant in Dermot Hurley who, like Clifford, has been showing impressive form since joining the squad. The Castlehaven man partners Nicholas Murphy at midfield.

The team is notable for the inclusion of Derek Kavanagh at full-back. The Nemo Rangers' midfielder played in all three challenge games in that position and acquitted himself well. The team will be captained by Colin Crowley, who returns after his honeymoon. He lines out at left corner-forward with his club-mate Bernie Collins at full-forward.

Martin Cronin, who missed the Galway challenge game, is back in his customary left half-back position, while the attack will be led by Miceál Ó Croinín, flanked by Alan Cronin and Maurice McCarthy.

The game will be Billy Morgan's first in charge after he quit the scene following the 1996 Munster final defeat by Kerry, and he is looking forward to meeting up with his old

adversory Páidí Ó Sé.

"We've played a number of challenge games, which are always useful, but I'm looking forward to the competitive side of the game," said

Morgan.

"I understand that Westmeath have taken over one of the city hotels for the weekend, so they must be travelling in numbers. It promises to be a lively encounter, particular with Páidí in the unfamiliar roll of coach to Westmeath."

Meanwhile, Páidí looks set to appoint midfielder David O'Shaughnessy as Westmeath captain for the 2004 season. Ó Sé is likely to name his captain this week before Saturday's floodlit NFL opener against Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn and O'Shaughnessy is the favourite to be selected.

He captained the team in their four O'Byrne Cup matches against Louth, Kildare, Carlow and Meath. The Garrycastle man has been commuting over and back from England, where he is now based.

The Offaly team to meet Donegal at Ballybofey shows four changes from the side defeated by Meath in the O'Byrne Cup semi-final two weeks ago.

Kevin Meehan reclaims the goalkeeping position from Colin McNamara after recovering from injury, while in defence Michael Flynn and Shane Sullivan take over from Johnny Hurst and Karol Slattery.

Mark Daly and Ciaran McManus continue their midfield partnership and the only change in attack sees Joe Quinn preferred to Basil Malone at left half-forward.

CORK (SF v Westmeath): K. O'Dwyer (O'Donovan Rossa); S. O'Brien (Nemo Rangers), D. Kavanagh (do.), A. Lynch (Naomh Abán); O. Sexton (Kilbrittain), G. Canty (Bantry), M. Cronin (Nemo Rangers); N. Murphy (Carrigaline), D. Hurley (Castlehaven); A. Cronin (Nemo Rangers), M. Ó Croinín (Naomh Abán), M. McCarthy (Nemo Rangers); P. Clifford (Bantry), B. Collins (Castlehaven), C. Crowley (do.).

OFFALY (SF v Donegal): K. Meehan; B. Mooney, C. Daly, M. Flynn; S. Sullivan, M. Mitchell, G. Rafferty; M. Daly, C. McManus; C. Farrell, P. Kellaghan, J. Quinn; T. Deehan, N. Coughlan, N. McNamee.