JBM set to start Sweetnam against Tipp

It’s make your mind up time for the Cork hurling management in advance of next Sunday’s Munster semi-final showdown with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The last training session before the big game takes place at Sunday’s venue tonight and the starting 15 will be revealed immediately afterwards.

Selector Kieran Kingston told the Evening Echo today that, outside of the injuries to Donal Óg Cusack and Niall McCarthy, they are delighted to have a full complement of players to choose from.

“We met on Tuesday night, had a lengthy discussion on the composition of the team and we then went away until tonight to reflect on everything before we reach our final decision,” Kieran Kingston said.

“There are some calls to be made, but we are where we want to be in so far as having everybody available at this time for selection, bar Donal Óg and Niall of course.

“Our aim at the beginning was to get every player on the panel into contention for a championship start and we have achieved that.’’

Three goalkeepers are in the frame to start on Sunday in place of the injured Cusack, with Anthony Nash favourite to get the nod this time ahead of Martin Coleman, and newcomer Darren McCarthy.

The half-back, midfield area sees a number of players vying for positions including U21 player Chris Joyce and Tom Kenny, with Darren Sweetnam certain to start in midfield. However Seán Óg and John Gardiner both look likely to miss out.

Conor Lehane, Pa Cronin, Cathal Naughton, Jamie Coughlan, Paudie O’Sullivan, Cian McCarthy and Patrick Horgan are the front runners in attack, with Stephen Moylan from Douglas believed to be knocking loudly on the door, alongside recently injured Luke O’Farrell.