Rock and Ronan ready to roll for Cork

Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Neil Ronan are fit and expected to start for Cork against Clare on Sunday.

The Cork hurlers have a clean bill of health in advance of the Munster SHC quarter-final at Semple Stadium, 2pm, with the team being announced tonight after training.

The two major injury concerns, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Neil Ronan, have been given the all clear and everybody is available for selection, according to selector Martin Bowen.

It had been reported in today’s morning papers that Ronan was not in contention due to a finger injury sustained during the league but Bowen emphatically denied this.

“Neil has been given the all clear and like everybody else he is available if selected,” he said.

“The same applies to Diarmuid and it’s a case of for the first time this season having no injury problems.”

The team will be selected tonight after training at Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Bowen admits that it is difficult to finalise the starting 15.

“I suppose that it’s a good way to be really,” he said.

“A lot of players showed up well in the league and in recent club championship matches and that has made our task that bit more difficult.

“A number of players are vying for a number of positions and to be fair the return from training has been first class.

“The commitment and attitude has been excellent as well.

“And now it’s a case of putting out what we believe will be our strongest starting line-up.”

There will have to be at least two changes to the side from the one that started last September’s All-Ireland final.

Pat Mulcahy and Brian Corcoran have retired which decrees one change at least in defence and one in attack.

Cian O’Connor is favourite to replace Mulcahy but up front the position is not as clear.

Pa Cronin from Bishopstown showed up very well during the league while Kieran ‘Fraggie’ Murphy displayed very good form in his club Sars recent championship victory over Blackrock.

Team captain Kieran ‘Hero’ Murphy is also in the equation to join established trio Joe Deane, Ben O’Connor and Niall McCarthy — the three certainties in attack.

Ronan looks the obvious choice for full-forward but lack of match practice could militate against him.

There is some speculation too that Kevin Hartnett might get a starting slot in the half-back line with John Gardiner going to midfield and Tom Kenny into the half-forward line.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.