Antrim make three changes for Murphy Cup decider

Antrim manager Jody Gormley has made three changes in personnel for Saturday's Tommy Murphy Cup final showdown with Wicklow (Croke Park, throw-in 12.15pm).

Justin Crozier, Aodhan Gallagher and Michael McCann have all earned recalls to the Saffrons' starting line-up, with Conor McGoldrick, Sean McVeigh and Mark Doughan the players to make way.

Both Crozier and McCann were on holiday when Antrim got the better of Clare last month's semi-final.

There are a number of positional switches to the team that beat Clare 1-11 to 0-10. Wing backs Paul Close and James Loughrey will fill the corner back berths for the final, with St. Gall's clubman Sean Kelly moving to wing back from the left corner.

McCann, who hails from the Erin's Own Cargin club, will line out at full-forward, meaning a switch of positions for team captain Ciaran Close who will start the final in the right corner.

Antrim have a considerable attacking weapon in teenage corner forward Conor McGourty who has scored six goals in three Tommy Murphy Cup matches against Kilkenny, London and Clare.

The 19-year-old could be the game-breaker on Saturday as the Saffrons bid to become the first Ulster county to win the Tommy Murphy Cup.

ANTRIM (Tommy Murphy Cup v Wicklow) - S McGreevy; P Close, P Doherty, J Loughrey; S Kelly, E O'Neill, J Crozier; J Quinn, D Martin; A Gallagher, K Niblock, K Brady; C Close (capt), M McCann, C McGourty.

Substitutes: J Finucane, G Bell, S McVeigh, M Dougan, M Magill, C McGoldrick, M Rea, P Logan, B Hasson, L Carland, M Pollock, D O'Hagan, C Brady, T Convery, L Bonnes.