Two changes to Cork side for Galway clash

Cork manager Denis Walsh has made two changes to his team for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC Phase 3 qualifier against Galway at Semple Stadium in Thurles (throw-in 7pm).

Team captain John Gardiner has returned to full fitness after overcoming a back injury. He will start instead of Graham Callanan, while Patrick Horgan has been added to the attack in place of Tadhg Og Murphy.

Horgan was in impressive form in the qualifier win over Offaly, scoring 1-05 as a first half substitute.

Ben O'Connor has also been included in the starting fifteen to face Galway. He sustained a hamstring injury in the Rebels' 3-19 to 1-12 victory over Offaly two weeks ago but despite doubts over his fitness, he is expected to start

Meanwhile, former Young Hurler of the Year Brian Murphy, who recently returned to the Cork panel, has been named amongst the substitutes.

The hurlers of Cork and Galway are meeting for the second successive year in the qualifiers. Cork claimed a 0-23 to 2-15 win at Semple Stadium twelve months ago, despite having goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack sent off in the first half.

CORK (SHC v Galway) - D Og Cusack; S O'Neill, E Cadogan, S Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Og O hAilpin; T Kenny, J O'Connor; B O'Connor, P Cronin, T McCarthy; K Murphy, A O hAilpin, P Horgan.