Counihan makes nine changes to Cork side
Cork manager Conor Counihan has made wholesale changes to his team for Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 1 final against Mayo at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).
With team captain Graham Canty (shoulder), Eoin Cadogan (foot) and Anthony Lynch (groin) all ruled out, most of the changes are in defence.
Jamie O'Sullivan and Eoin Cotter are the only survivors in the back seven from the Rebels' loss to Mayo at Pairc Ui Chaoimh two weeks ago.
The 21-year-old O'Sullivan from Bishoptown has been pencilled in at left half-back in a much-changed rearguard.
Paddy O'Shea replaces Alan Quirke in goal and Ray Carey, Michael Shields, Noel O'Leary and Paudie Kissane have all been reintroduced across the full-back and half-back lines.
With Nicholas Murphy working his way back from a hamstring problem and Pearse O'Neill (finger) also injured, Alan O'Connor and Aidan Walsh will form the midfield partnership on Sunday.
The Cork attack welcomes back Paddy Kelly at left half-forward, and Daniel Goulding and Paul Kerrigan return to flank Eire Og's Ciaran Sheehan at full-forward. The players to miss out are Kevin McMahon, Colm O'Neill and John Hayes.
The Rebels, who were the Division 2 champions last year, are seeking their first Division 1 title since 1999, which was also the last time they featured in the top flight decider.
When the sides met recently in the league phase, Mayo, who needed to win to clinch a place in the final, took both points on a 0-16 to 0-11 scoreline. Alan Dillon and Conor Mortimer each kicked 0-4 for the winners that day.
CORK (NFL v Mayo): Paddy O'Shea; Ray Carey, Michael Shields, Eoin Cotter; Noel O'Leary, Paudie Kissane, Jamie O'Sullivan; Alan O'Connor, Aidan Walsh; Fintan Goold, Donnacha O'Connor, Paddy Kelly; Daniel Goulding, Ciaran Sheehan, Paul Kerrigan.
