O’Shea answers call for Rebels

WITH promising Under-21 performers Fintan Goold and Daniel Goulding again held in reserve, Cork have made just one enforced change from the side that started against Limerick for next Sunday’s Munster SFC semi-final showdown with Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Goalkeeper Alan Quirke, who dislocated his shoulder in the second half of the Limerick game, has been ruled out, and is replaced by his understudy Paddy O’Shea of St Vincent’s. It will be a first championship start for O’Shea, who performed exceptionally well in the league when Quirke was again on the injured list.

Goold and Goulding, along with Kevin O’Sullivan and Dermot Hurley, were called upon during the first round but respective wing forwards Conor McCarthy and Kevin McMahon have again won first-team preference, while Nicholas Murphy, who has recovered from a knock received in the Limerick game, teams up with Derek Kavanagh again at midfield.

Tipperary are due to announce their team tonight. They will be without injured trio Andrew Morrissey, Mark Peters and Colm Morrissey.

Sterling corner back Andrew Morrissey is ruled out with an ankle injury. Peters has a damaged shoulder, while Colm Morrissey is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

For their mouth-watering clash with old rivals Meath in the Leinster SFC at Croke Park on Sunday, Dublin introduce two newcomers and make four changes from the side that lost to Mayo in last season’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Ross McConnell makes his debut at full back, as does Dermot Connolly on the left flank of attack. Gone from last year’s side are Conan Goggins, Kevin Bonner, Jason Sherlock and Ray Cosgrove, who are replaced by McConnell, Connolly, Darren McGee and Colin Moran.

Longford are waiting on the results of fitness tests on Diarmuid Masterson, Liam Keenan and Kevin Mulligan before finalising their side. Full back Masterson is troubled by a back injury. Midfielder Keenan is carrying a shoulder injury, while Mulligan has an ankle injury.

Wicklow are hoping to have Brendain Ó hAnnaidh back in the starting 15 for their epic third clash with Louth in the first round of the Leinster SFC at Croke Park on Sunday.

Ó hAnnaidh pulled a hamstring in the first game and although he was selected for last weekend’s replay, was forced to cry off before the start.

CORK (SFC v Tipperary): P. O’Shea; M. Shields, G. Canty, K. O’Connor; N. O’Leary, G. Spillane, A. Lynch; D. Kavanagh, N. Murphy; C. McCarthy, P. O’Neill, K. McMahon; J. Masters, M. Cussen, D. O’Connor.

DUBLIN (SFC v Meath): S. Cluxton; D. Henry, R. McConnell, P. Griffen; P. Casey, B. Cullen, B. Cahill; C. Whelan, D. McGee; C. Moran, S. Ryan, D. Connolly; A. Brogan, C. Keaney, T. Quinn.