Cork call on O'Leary

Veteran Cork defender Noel O'Leary will make his first start of the Allianz League campaign in Sunday's Division 1 duel with Down in Newry (throw-in 2pm).

O'Leary missed the Rebels' opening fixtures against Dublin and Kildare, but returns at centre back with Damien Cahalane suspended for the Down game due to his dismissal against the Lilywhites last month.

Fermoy's Tomás Clancy joins O'Leary in the half-back line with his namesake Tom Clancy from Clonakilty, along with John O'Rourke, currently preparing for the Cork Under-21s' Munster Championship clash with Kerry on Wednesday, March 13.

Nemo Rangers clubman Barry O'Driscoll takes O'Rourke's place in attack, lining out at top of the right alongside Colm O'Neill and Donncha O'Connor.

Graham Canty and Aidan Walsh have been paired together again in midfield and 36-year-old net minder Alan Quirke, who has been on army duty in Lebanon, is back to claim a place on the bench.

Conor Counihan's men desperately need a result against Down after losing to Dublin and Kildare in the opening rounds.

Recent history suggests an away win is well within their capabilities as they beat Down in the 2010 All-Ireland final, a 2011 All-Ireland qualifier and also in last year's league.

CORK (NFL v Down): Ken O'Halloran; Michael Shields, Eoin O'Mahony, Eoin Cadogan; Tomás Clancy, Noel O'Leary, Jamie O'Sullivan; Graham Canty, Aidan Walsh; Fintan Goold, Ciaran Sheehan, Paul Kerrigan; Barry O'Driscoll, Colm O'Neill, Donncha O'Connor.

Subs: Alan Quirke, Paudie Kissane, James Fitzpatrick, Mark Collins, John McLoughlin, Andrew O'Sullivan, Denis O'Sullivan, Liam Shorten.