Cork make sweeping changes for Galway clash

FOLLOWING the defeat to Roscommon, the Cork selectors have made sweeping changes for Saturday’s crunch Allianz NFL clash with Galway under lights at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Sean Levis is recalled at right half back with Eoin Sexton moving to centre-back and Graham Canty named as new midfield partner to Nicholas Murphy. Bernard Collins moves from midfield to centre-forward with John Miskella replacing Paudie Kissane at left half forward.

Bishopstown’s James O’Shea is included at right corner-forward in place of Kieran Murphy with Miceál Ó Croinín, who started at centre-forward in the Roscommon game, taking over Fionnan Murray’s vacant full-forward slot. Because of the involvement of two of their panel in the Sigerson Cup, Diarmuid Blake and Nicholas Joyce, Galway have deferred selection of their side until after training on Thursday night. But wing-back Michael Comer, recently laid low with flu, is fully fit again and seems certain to start. Roscommon are almost certain to be without sterling corner-back Michael Ryan for their visit to Crossmaglen on Sunday to take on unbeaten All-Ireland champions Armagh.

Ryan, who has an ongoing groin problem, was forced to retire in the last game against Cork.

In that game, midfielder Seamus O’Neill came on as a substitute. O’Neill had been out of action for five months after surgery on his knee, but he could be in line to start now.

Clare await fitness tests on a number of players before finalising their team to play Wexford at Cusack Park on Sunday. Team captain Donal O’Sullivan missed the last game against Carlow after sustaining a leg injury in the game with Derry. Centre-back Russell Gibbons, who has yet to play in the League because of a broken collarbone, is back in contention as is Martin Daly, who came on in the closing stages of the Carlow game.

Brian Considine, who missed the clash against Carlow is expected to start.

Because of suspension, Mayo will be without James Gill and Fergal Kelly for their game with Cavan at Breffni Park, but Declan Sweeney, who received two straight yellow cards in the last game against Laois, which John Maughan’s side lost by a point, is eligible to play.

Kildare, who narrowly lost to Meath last time out, will again be missing injured star midfielder Dermot Earley for their home tie with Fermanagh at Newbridge.

Meath will have there three Dunshaughlin players Ritchie Kealy, Niall Kelly and David Crimmins back fighting for places ahead of their next Sunday’s away game with Sligo at Markaviez Park. High-flying Laois, who top the Division 1 B table with three wins out of three, report no injury problems for their meeting with Down at Portlaoise. Westmeath make just one change for their Division 2 A top-of-the-table clash with Limerick at Mullingar on Sunday. Midfield player Rory O’Connell returns after suspension to replace Diarmuid O’Shaughnessy, who broke a finger in the last game against Antrim.

CORK (SF v Galway): K. O’Dwyer; N. O’Donovan, A. O’Connor, A. Lynch; S. Levis, E. Sexton, N. O’Leary; N. Murphy, G. Canty; B./ J. O’Sullivan, B. Collins, J. Miskella; J. O’Shea, M. O’Croinin, C. Crowley. Substitues. K. Murphy, M. O’Donovan, P. Kissane, K. Murphy, D. O’Sullivan, C. McCarthy, J. O’Donoghue, R. O’Mahony, C. Brosnan.

WESTMEATH (SF v Limerick): M. Lennen; D. Healy, D. Mitchel, K. Henson; R. Morley, D. Gavin, D. Kilmartin; R. O’Connell, M. Flanagan; F. Wilson, A, Mangan, M. Ennis; J. P. Casey, C. Dolan, D. Dolan.

CORK (MF v Waterford): J. Down (Kilmurry; D. Limrick (Castlehaven), S. O’Donoghue (Ballincollig), C. Barrett (do); C. O’Connell (Doneraile), N. Horgan (St. Nicholas), J. O’Sullivan (Bishopstown); A, O’Connor (St. Colms), J. O’Sullivan (St. Finbarr’s); J. Hayes (Carbery Rangers), A. O’ h-Ailpin (Na Piarsaigh), H. Curran (Newcestown): C. Weste (Ballincollig), F. Gould (Macroom), B. Sheehan (Doneraile).

Subs: D. Moynihan (Aghabullogue), M. Shields (St. Finbarr’s), P. Murphy (St. Finbarr’s), S. McCarthy (Eire Og), M. Milner (Sam Maguires), B. Cotter (Ballincollig), P. Kelly (do), P. O’Shea (Nemo Rangers), J. Shanahan (Shamrocks).