Canty comes in for Deise clash

The placing of Kevin Canty at wing-forward is one of the main features of the Cork team for next Sunday’s NHL showdown with Waterford at Walsh Park.

The Valley Rovers man played in the Waterford Crystal Crystal Tournament final against Tipperary and came on as a sub against Offaly but this will be his most important assignment yet.

The Cork management plan to continue with their rotation policy. Killian Cronin starts at full-back, replacing Cian O’Connor who operates at wing-back. John Gardiner returns to the team alongside Ronan Curran and O’Connor with Diarmuid O’Sullivan retaining the number 14 shirt.

On Canty’s inclusion, selector Donie Collins told the Evening Echo newspaper that he deserves his chance.

“Kevin is a young player with a lot of potential and he has been showing up well in training,” he said. “He has a strong physical presence and he has a very good attitude.’’

Collins has no worries either on the positioning of Cronin at full-back.

“He is a big, strong man who has plenty of experience. He had an outstanding year for Cloyne in 2006 and knows all about the requirements in this position.’’

At the other end of the Walsh Park pitch, another Cloyne man, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, will be hoping to continue his recent good form in what is still a very experimental role.

“Diarmuid has shown up well in the last few games for us but it is still an experiment. Sunday, obviously, will be an exercise which should reveal a more but he has done well for us so far. It will be interesting.’’

The Cork selector has no doubt the game will be the toughest thus far.

“Waterford and ourselves have had very close games in recent times and I expect them to be prime contenders again this year.

“We should learn a lot on Sunday.”

CORK: D Og Cusack, W Sherlock, K Cronin, B Murphy, J Gardiner, R Curran, C O’Connor, T Kenny, K Murphy, P Cronin, N McCarthy, K Canty, N Ronan, D O’Sullivan, J Deane.