O’Sullivan the only newcomer for Cork

Paudie O’Sullivan from Cloyne is set to be the only debutant for Cork in Sunday’s Munster hurling semi-final showdown with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoímh.

There has been intense speculation that a number of other players were set for their championship starts as well but the Evening Echo has learned Paudie, younger brother of full-back Diarmuid, will be the only newcomer.

The management thought long and hard about starting the likes of Cathal Naughton, Kevin Canty and Patrick Horgan but when they reveal their hand tonight it will be a case of going with the tried and trusted.

The team from one to nine will be along usual lines with Donal Óg Cusack in goal, fronted by Shane O’Neill, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Brian Murphy, John Gardiner, Ronan Curran and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín.

Tom Kenny and Jerry O’Connor will resume their formidable midfield partnership.

However, the composition of the attack has taken up much more time in the management’s deliberations. Competition for starting places has been far greater this year than for a considerable length of time and in the options department there are far greater numbers this time as well.

However, the likelihood is that the half-forward line will again feature Niall McCarthy on the 40 flanked by Ben O’Connor, with Pa Cronin favourite to get the nod over Timmy McCarthy.

The full-forward position will be filled by Kieran ‘Fraggie’ Murphy.

A number of other candidates were looked at seriously but given Murphy’s success there last year it is thought that he is again the best choice

The only certainty tonight is that there will be no wholesale changes but there will be far better options on the bench.

The team is expected to be: D Óg Cusack; S O’Neill, D O’Sullivan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, J O’Connor; B O’Connor, N McCarthy, P Cronin; P O’Sullivan, K Murphy, J Deane.

Meanwhile, the Cork footballers face Limerick on Sunday week and are set to name five players to bolster the additional 25-man panel. Anthony Lynch is expected to be fit, but John Miskella and Kevin MacMahon are injured.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper