Sars in East Cork derby with Castlelyons

COUNTY senior hurling champions Sarsfields will face fellow east Cork side Castlelyons in their first defence of their title on Saturday May 2, a game down for decision in Midleton.

That game is part of a doubleheader and is followed by the SHC clash of Cloyne and Bishopstown.

In Páirc Uí Chaoimh on the same day Carrigtwohill take on Blackrock, while Blarney, newcomers to the grade, confront Na Piarsaigh. Bride Rovers take on near neighbours Killeagh the following day in Ballynoe.

Nemo Rangers open the defence of their football crown against Ballincollig in Páirc Uí Rinn on April 17th.

There are five ties down for decision on the following night and six games on the billing for the Sunday afternoon, with the glamour tie being the West Cork derby between Ilen Rovers and Castlehaven fixed for Skibbereen.

The 2009 championship schedule begins on Wednesday April 1st with one match in the County PIFC between Newcestown and Nemo Rangers in Cloughduv.

Meanwhile Paul O’Flynn from Ballyclough makes his first start on the Cork team to play Laois in the Allianz NFL at Portlaoise tomorrow night.

O’Flynn is named as midfield partner to Alan O’Connor on a side that shows a number of changes from last weekend’s win against Fermanagh.

Ray Carey, Clyda Rovers, takes over at right corner-back with Michael Shields moving to left half-back to the exclusion of Paudie Kissane, who deputised for the injured John Miskella last time out.

The inclusion of O’Flynn means Pearse O’Neill now moves to the 40 with Fintan Goold dropping out.

Conor McCarthy is selected at right half-forward with John Hayes of Carbery Rangers occupying the left half forward position. Hayes came on in place of the injured Nicholas Murphy last Sunday and holds on to first team status.

The other alteration in attack sees Kevin O’Sullivan of Ilen Rovers replacing Daniel Goulding at top of the right.

CORK (SF v Laois): A. Quirke; R. Carey, N. O’Donovan, A. Lynch; N. O’Leary, G. Canty, M. Shields; A. O’Connor, P. O’Flynn; C. McCarthy, P. O’Neill, J. Hayes; K. O’Sullivan, M. Cussens, D. O’Connor.

KERRY (UNDER 21 v Cork): T. Mac an tSaoir (An Ghaeltacht); P. O’Connor (Legion), Stephen Browne (Castlegregory), S. Enright (Tarbert); J. Lyne (Legion), M. Moloney (Dr Crokes), R. Horgan (Ardfert); D. Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys), S. Hennessy (Castlegregory); A. Greaney (St. Pat’s), G. Sayers (Keel), JB Spillane (Castlegregory); A. O’Donoghue (John Mitchel’s), T. Walsh (Kerins O’Rahillys), B. J. Walsh (Kerins O’Rahillys).