Corbett returns to Tipp attack for Cork showdown
Tipperary and Cork face off in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with Tipp forced into a number of changes from their big win over Offaly last time out. All-Stars Eoin Kelly (finger) and Brendan Maher (ankle) are both ruled out through injury, while Eddie Connolly and Paul Kelly are rested; into their places come Padraic Maher, Shane McGrath, Shane Bourke and 2010 hurler-of-the-year Lar Corbett, who came on as a half-time sub against Offaly but is making his first start of the year here. Shane Bourke is another who came on as a sub against Offaly, but in his case it’s a league debut for Tipperary.
Cork have made even more changes from their last match, a one-point away loss to Waterford, but in this case they are all voluntary, manager Denis Walsh taking the knife to every line bar goalkeeper and midfield. Eoin Cadogan and Shane Murphy come in for Eoin Dillon and Conor O’Sullivan in the full-back line. Ronan Curran is back at centre-back. Cathal Naughton starts in place of Niall McCarthy at wing-forward, while Michael Cussen and Ben O’Connor replace Paudie O’Sullivan and Patrick Horgan respectively. Lorcan McLoughlin and Pa Cronin remain as they were in midfield, the experienced Jerry O’Connor again held in reserve.
For their probable winner-take-all clash against Offaly in Tullamore, Wexford make three changes from the team that lost to Dublin two weeks ago. The outstanding Keith Rossiter returns at corner-back, with Ciarán Kenny shifting to the wing; David Redmond returns to midfield, while Ashmore’s PJ Nolan starts on the wing, having impressed when introduced against Dublin.
In Division 2, Laois manager Brendan Fennelly has made just one change for their crucial Allianz Hurling League Division 2 meeting with Down, full-forward Neil Foyle replacing John Purcell.
Meanwhile, on the football front, the Ulster Council last night fixed the second replay of the Down-Tyrone saga in the U21 Championship for next Wednesday at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
One semi-final has already been played, and the second semi-final between Monaghan and either the Mournemen or the Red Hands, has now been put back to Wednesday April 6, with the final, which had originally been scheduled for next Wednesday, now fixed for Wednesday April 13.
Tipperary (SH v Cork): B Cummins; M Cahill, P Curran (C), P Stapleton; J O’Keeffe, Padraic Maher, D Young; G Ryan, S McGrath; B Dunne, N McGrath, Patrick Maher; S Bourke, P Bourke, L Corbett.
Cork (SH v Tipperary): D Óg Cusack; S McDonnell, E Cadogan, S Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, B Murphy; L McLoughlin, P Cronin; T Kenny, C McCarthy, C Naughton; B O’Connor, M Cussen, L O’Farrell.
Wexford (SH v Offaly): N Carton; P Roche, M O’Hanlon, K Rossiter; L Prendergast, D Stamp, C Kenny; D Redmond, H Kehoe; PJ Nolan, E Quigley, S Banville; R Jacob, G Sinnott, J Berry.
Laois (SH v Down): P Mullaney; J Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, B Galvin; J Walsh, S Burke; B Dunne, W Hyland, C Murray; O Holohan, N Foyle, J Brophy.
Kerry (SH v Clare): B Rochford; C Harris, T Murnane, J Godley; P O’Grady, M Conway, E Fitzgerald, P Costello, D Dineen; S Nolan, L Boyle, M Boyle (C); J Egan, R Kenny, D O’Connell. Subs: JB O’Halloran, J Casey, A Royle, J Flaherty, P O’Keeffe, D Wallace, T Moloney, A Boyle, D Fitzell.
Wicklow (SF v Roscommon): J Flynn; P Higgins, A Byrne, C Hyland; P Dalton, B McGrath, D Hayden; J Stafford, R Finn; T Hannon, P Cunningham, JP Dalton; A O’Malley, S Furlong, L Glynn. Subs: M Travers, S Kavanagh, C McGraynor, A Nolan, D Healy, B Dalton, P Burke, P Earls, A McLoughlin, D Siney, P McLoughlin.
