Cork opt to rotate against Tipperary
With the Rebels having beaten Galway last weekend, and Tipp overcoming Kilkenny, both sides are guaranteed quarter-final spots.
While Cork have rotated, it is still a strong side, with two of the changes — Alan Cadogan and Luke O’Farrell for Stephen Moylan and Paudie O’Sullivan — undoing switches made for the Galway game.
In defence, Damien Cahalane takes over from William Kearney at number 4 while Robert O’Shea comes in for Brian Lawton at left half-forward.
Following last week’s loss to Offaly, Limerick cannot now be promoted from Division 1B so T J Ryan has opted to make six changes. Aaron Murphy is in for Nickie Quaid in goal, while Seánie O’Brien and Cathal King replace Séamus Hickey and Dan Morrissey in defence.
In attack, David Reidy, Thomas O’Brien and Pat Begley all come into the side as Cian Lynch, John Fitzgibbon and Shane Dowling miss out.
Offaly, who play Antrim, have gone with the same starting 15 as that which beat Limerick.
Meanwhile, Stephen Frampton believes Waterford may be as far as two years behind Wexford in development but claims they are on a steeper learning curve and playing well enough to make a quick return to Division 1A.
A win or draw in Wexford Park on Sunday will see Derek McGrath’s side promoted to the top flight just 12 months after Dublin sent them down in a relegation play-off.
With three wins and a draw under their belts, they are the only undefeated team across the top two divisions. Former defender Frampton acknowledges their form has been a welcome surprise and in a sense they are in bonus territory, but he remains convinced they are ready for the next step.
“There was an element of the unknown in regards to the new panel this year and we weren’t sure how good or bad this group were,” admitted the Ballygunner man.
“To be fair to them, they have proven they are good enough and they have excelled so far. It would be important to make the next step to Division 1A next year.
CORK (HL v Tipperary): A Nash; S O’Neill, S McDonnell, D Cahalane; L McLoughlin, M Ellis, C Murphy; D Kearney, Aidan Walsh; C Lehane, S Harnedy, R O’Shea; A Cadogan, L O’Farrell, P Horgan.
Subs: P Collins, W Kearney, C O’Sullivan, K Burke, Andy Walsh, B Lawton, S Moylan, P O’Sullivan, A Spillane, D McCarthy, B Cooper.
LIMERICK (HL v Laois): A Murphy; S Walsh, R McCarthy, S O’Brien; C King, D Hannon, C Allis; J Ryan, P Browne; D Reidy, D Breen, D O’Grady; T O’Brien, P Begley, S Tobin.
OFFALY (HL v Antrim): J Dempsey; S Wynne, D Shortt, D King; C Parlon, C Egan, É Murphy; S Ryan, P Camon; E Nolan, J Mulrooney, S Kinsella; B Carroll, D Currams, S Dooley.
