Counihan gives Sheehan and Canty the nod

INJURY concerns Graham Canty and Ciaran Sheehan were last night named in the Cork team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Dublin, while manager Conor Counihan has also made three changes to his starting side.

Canty is selected to captain the side from his centre-back berth while Sheehan will play at full-forward. The alterations to the line-up from the quarter-final win over Roscommon see John Miskella drafted in at left corner-back, Alan O’Connor start at midfield and Donncha O’Connor named at left corner-forward. Jamie O’Sullivan, Derek Kavanagh and Colm O’Neill are the three to make way.

Given the doubts over the fitness of Canty and Sheehan in recent weeks, it remains to be seen if the side named last night takes to the field on Sunday. If Canty is unable to start due to his hamstring injury, it seems likely that dual star Eoin Cadogan is in prime position to come into the team in the full-back line, in a move that would probably see John Miskella released to the half-back line. Sheehan has responded well to treatment on his damaged knee and is one of three players set to make their All-Ireland senior semi-final debut with Paudie Kissane and Aidan Walsh the other newcomers to this last four stage.