Cork forced into defensive switches

Dethroned Munster champions Cork have made two enforced changes to their defence for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Offaly (Pairc Um Chaoimh, throw-in 3pm).

Corner backs Brian Murphy and Shane O'Neill are both unavailable for the visit of the Faithfuls.

Illness has gotten the better of Murphy, who was replaced early on in last weekend's win over Dublin after shipping a heavy challenge, while O'Neill is still recovering from the ankle injury which curtailed his involvement against the Dubs.

Shane Murphy and Cian O'Connor, who both play their club hurling for Erin's Own, have been selected to take over in the right and left corners this weekend.

Good news for the Rebels is that full-back Diarmuid O'Sullivan, who has also been nursing an ankle injury, has been passed fit to start against Offaly. He passed a medical assessment last night.

However, midfielder Tom Kenny (hamstring) and centre-forward Niall McCarthy (broken metatarsal) remain sidelined.

Cork boss Gerald McCarthy has made a positional switch in his half-forwards with Ben O'Connor now stationed at centre-forward and team captain Kieran Murphy moved to right half-forward.

Cork, who are joint-top of qualifier Group 1B at the moment, are meeting Offaly in the championship for the first time since the 2000 All-Ireland semi-final which the Faithfuls won by 0-19 to 0-15.

CORK (SHC v Offaly) - D Sg Cusack; S Murphy, D O'Sullivan, C O'Connor; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Sg S hAilpin; K Hartnett, J O'Connor; Kieran Murphy (Erin's Own) (capt), B O'Connor, P Cronin; N Ronan, Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields), J Deane.