Cork await fitness reports before finalising team

NICHOLAS MURPHY, Anthony Lynch and Derek Kavanagh will undergo fitness tests before Cork finalise their team to meet Donegal in the Allianz National Football League at Ballybofey on Sunday.

Murphy picked up a knee injury, while Lynch aggravated a hamstring in the splendid victory over Dublin at Páirc Uí Rinn last weekend.

Kavanagh, who had been named at full-back for that game, missed out because he twisted his knee in the previous game against Offaly. Manager Billy Morgan said last night that he would have a clearer picture of the situation tonight.

On a brighter note, Graham Canty is on his way back to the resurgent squad. Canty has been out of action for over three months with tendonitis in his knee, but is expected to line out with his club this week.

“Graham’s problems stemmed from a pelvic injury but that has finally been put right by Gerard Hartman,” said Morgan. “He has little done in terms of football and it would be unfair throw in him against Donegal next Sunday, but he expects to play club football at the weekend.”

Despite last Saturday’s big reversal at the hands of Cork, Dublin have named an unchanged team for the meeting with Offaly in O’Connor Park, Tullamore. Manager Pat Roe won’t name a Wexford football team to play Laois on Sunday until later in the week.

Galway manager Peter Ford must plan for the home game against Down on Sunday (Ballinasloe, 3.30pm) without John Devane and Niall Coleman. Both players picked up shoulder injuries from last week’s clash with Wexford and will be out of action for at least three weeks.

Limerick coach Liam Kearns will again be without Jim O’Donovan and Sean Buckley for Sunday’s away game against Armagh in Crossmaglen.

Meanwhile defending champions Cork include six of last year’s winning team for the opening defence of their Munster minor hurling title against Kerry in Tralee on Friday night.

Ger O’Driscoll plays at left-corner back, Cathal Naughton will partner Peter O’Driscoll at midfield, while the entire half forward line of Patrick Cronin, Peter O’Brien and Patrick Horgan all figured last year. Eoin Murphy’s, whose last minute goal won the provincial title for Cork over Tipperary last year, is named at full forward and he will have Paudie O’Sullivan, younger brother of senior player Diarmuid on his left while Stephen Moylan, son of Pat who won All-Ireland medals with Cork at minor, U21 and senior level back in the 1970s, is at right corner forward.

Injuries to Alan Brady (Na Piarsaigh), Brian Nunan (Bishopstown), Adrian Mannix (Kilworth) Conor Spillane (Youghal) and Ray Keohane (Carrigaline) has ruled them out of Friday night’s opener. Bishopstown’s Denis Crowley picked up a calf injury in Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh’s Corn Uí Mhuirí triumph on Monday and must undergo a fitness test closer to the game.

DUBLIN (SF v Offaly): S Cluxton; P Griffin, P Christie, S O’Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cullen, P Andrews; C Whelan, S Ryan; C Moran, J Sherlock, D Lally; M Vaughan, C Keaney, T Quinn. Subs: B Murphy, D Henry, C Goggins, B Cahill, D Homan, S Connell, D O’Callaghan, L Og O hEineachain, D Byrne, A Brogan, M Fitzpatrick, R Cosgrove, D Bastic, R Boyle, P Copeland.

CORK (MHC v Kerry): Richie O’Keeffe (Mayfield); Ross Cashman (Kilbrittain), Eoin Dillon (Milford), Ger O’Driscoll (Newcestown); Eoin O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), Joe Jordan (Blarney), Tomas Murray (Bishopstown); Peter O’Driscoll (Whites Cross) , Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum); Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown), Peter O’Brien (Kildorrery), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers); Stephen Moylan (Douglas), Eoin Murphy (Erins Own), Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne).