Ó hAilpín, Gardiner to start for Cork

Cork's starting fifteen for Sunday's NHL Division 1A encounter with Clare will have more of a championship look about it thanks to the inclusion of Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner.

With Erin's Own clubman Peter Kelly ruled out due to an injury, Ó hAilpín, who made a substitute appearance in last weekend's win over Wexford, returns at left half-back.

Gardiner has been handed a midfield role for the Ennis tie, with Tom Kenny making way, while Newtownshandrum youngster Cathal Naughton, who bagged a goal as a substitute against Wexford, will start at right corner forward, in place of Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields).

Cork boss Gerald McCarthy has also made a couple of positional switches - Brian Murphy and Cian O'Connor have swapped places in the full-back line, and Timmy McCarthy and Pa Cronin have also switched wings at half-forward.

CORK (NHL v Clare) - D Óg Cusack, B Murphy, D O'Sullivan, C O'Connor, K Hartnett, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín, K Murphy (capt), J Gardiner, T McCarthy, N McCarthy, P Cronin, C Naughton, N Ronan, J Deane.