Counihan names Cork side

Influential defender Anthony Lynch has been included by manager Conor Counihan in the Cork side to face Donegal on Sunday, despite doubts over his fitness due to a groin injury.

Counihan rates the Naomh Aban clubman at just 50-50 heading into this weekend's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm), while there have been injuries also to other players in the Rebels' camp.

"We are not too bad, but unfortunately we have lost Kevin O'Sullivan through a long-term injury," Counihan said.

"Diarmuid Duggan is going to be out for a while as well. Aidan Walsh picked up a bit of a knock at the weekend.

"Anthony has a bit of an ongoing issue and we'll see how that goes later in the week."

Lynch has been named in the starting line-up in place of Kieran O'Connor, in one of three changes to the side which beat Limerick in the Munster final.

John Miskella has been handed the left half-back role and Counihan is delighted to see him back from injury.

"John has come through training in the last two weeks and we'll find that we are happy with him," he said.

Meanwhile, Noel O'Leary will return from suspension to take place on on the opposite wing to Miskella, with Ger Spillane and Brian O'Regan the players to lose out.

Counihan is looking forward to the last-eight date with a Donegal side which showed great spirit and determination in their last two qualifier victories over Derry and Galway.

"Their performances against Derry and Galway have been very solid and compact and they will be a serious threat," he said.

"Current form is what matters now and they certainly have serious current form.

"We've just got to be up for it and take the game to these people. Hopefully we can do it on Sunday."

CORK (SFC v Donegal): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; N O'Leary, G Canty (capt), J Miskella; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O'Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, J Masters, D O'Connor.