Cork replace injured trio

Cork have made three changes to the hurling panel in advance of the Munster first-round meeting with Clare on Sunday week.

John Halbert, Jason Barrett and Shane Murphy replace the injured Paudie O’Sullivan, Jonathan O’Callaghan and Pat Fitzgerald on the Rebel panel.

Watergrasshill corner-forward Halbert was a Munster minor medallist alongside Pa Cronin and Cathal Naughton under the stewardship of current selector Ger Fitzgerald in 2005.

He replaces Paudie O’Sullivan as apprentice forward after impressing in a recent senior versus U21 challenge game and hitting the winning point for his club in the Evening Echo PIHC first round defeat of Mallow.

Jason Barrett was widely expected to be part of the Cork league panel after excelling for Carrigtwohill last season.

Previously a panelist in 2004, he also impressed recently and offers cover at midfield and wing-forward.

Shane Murphy — an All-Ireland minor winner in 2001 — is a specialist corner-back and replaces fellow Erin’s Own man Pat Fitzgerald. He offers cover in the absence of Wayne Sherlock from the panel.

In total there are six players gone from the panel that reached last year’s All-Ireland — Pat Mulcahy, Brian Corcoran, Wayne Sherlock, Killian Cronin, Conor Cusack and Ciarán McGann.

Cork Championship Panel: Donal Óg Cusack (Cloyne), Anthony Nash (Kanturk), Martin Coleman (Ballinhassig); Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers), Diarmuid O’Sullivan (Cloyne), Cian O’Connor (Erin’s Own), Shane Murphy (do), Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown); John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh), Ronan Curran (St Finbarr’s), Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh), Kevin Hartnett (Russell Rovers), Peter Kelly (Erin’s Own), Graham Callanan (Glen Rovers); Tom Kenny (Grenagh), Jerry O’Connor (Newtown), Kieran Murphy (Erin’s Own), Jason Barrett (Carrigtwohill); Niall McCarthy (do), Pa Cronin (Bishopstown), Timmy McCarthy (Castlelyons), Kevin Canty (Valley Rovers), Cathal Naughton (Newtown); Ben O’Connor (do), Neil Ronan (Ballyhea), Joe Deane (Killeagh), Kieran Murphy (Sars), John Halbert (Watergrasshill), Eoghan Murphy (Erin’s Own).

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.