Cusack returns for Rebels as Walsh rings changes
The three-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper’s replacing of Martin Coleman is one of seven changes to the team that started in the defeat to Kilkenny in the previous round.
Walsh has named an entirely new midfield with Jerry O’Connor and Pa Cronin coming in for Graham Callinan and Brian Murphy. Cronin had started in the half-forward line against Kilkenny, but Niall McCarthy is the sole survivor there with Cronin and Ben O’Connor making way for Tom Kenny and Cian McCarthy.
Elsewhere, Ray Ryan comes in for Ronan Curran at left-half back, while Conor O’Sullivan takes Shane Murphy’s position in the full-back line. Midleton’s Luke Farrell is named at corner forward.
Meanwhile, Declan Ryan has also elected to name Brendan Cummins in goal for their round three game against Waterford tomorrow night.
The Ballybacon-Grange man is one of five changes to the side that lost to Dublin.
Paul Kelly, after winning a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with UL last week, is named at corner-forward with Brian O’Meara joining him at the edge of the square.
Noel McGrath returns at centre-forward and Clonoulty-Rossmore’s John O’Keeffe at left-half back are the other changes.
Waterford’s 2010 All-Star corner-back Noel Connors is out of the game against Tipperary. The Passage man has picked up an ankle injury and is set to be out for a couple of weeks.
Maurice Shanahan is expected to be included in the Waterford starting line-up for the game in Thurles.
Wexford have named Noel Carton in goal for the clash with Kilkenny.
Ciaran Kenny moves to corner-back to replace injured Keith Rossiter while Michael Jacob partners David Redmond at midfield.
Jacob’s brother Rory is replaced by Eanna Martin in the forward line while Garrett Sinnott switches to full-forward and Harry Kehoe to centre.
In Division two, Limerick manager Donal O’Grady has also made seven changes to the team that beat Westmeath last month for the visit of Down. Defender Seamus Hickey, who lined out for UL in their Sigerson Cup quarter-final yesterday, is one of the players overlooked for Sunday’s game.
D Óg Cusack; S McDonnell, E Cadogan, C O’Sullivan; J Gardiner, W Egan, R Ryan; J O’Connor, P Cronin; T Kenny, C McCarthy, N McCarthy; L Farrell, P O’Sullivan, P Horgan.
B Cummins; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; D Young, Pádraic Maher, J O’Keeffe; B Maher, S McGrath; G Ryan, N McGrath, Patrick Maher; P Kelly, B O’Meara, P Bourke.
N Carton; P Roche, M O’Hanlon, C Kenny; L Prendergast, D Stamp, C Farrell; M Jacob, D Redmond; T Waters, H Kehoe, S Banville; E Martin, G Sinnott, J Berry.
B Murray; T Condon, G O’Mahoney, D Moloney; W McNamara, B Geary, D Breen; D O’Grady, E Ryan; R McCarthy, J Ryan, N Maher; P Tobin, K Downes, S Tobin.
B Rochford; A Keane, J Godley, C Harris; A Royle, T Murnane, P O’Grady; J Griffin, D Dineen; D O’Connell, M Boyle, L Boyle; J Egan, A Boyle, S Nolan.
