Question mark remains over Murphy appearance on Sunday

To recall Brian Murphy to the starting 15 or to prevail with the status quo.

That is the only selection poser for the Cork hurling management this week as they finalise their team for next Sunday’s All-Ireland final against Clare.

There is obviously a great temptation to bring the vastly experienced Bride Rovers back in, all the more so given how well he operated in the earlier instalment between the counties in the Munster semi-final when he completely blotted out the threat posed by Clare dangerman Tony Kelly.

He missed the Munster final loss to Limerick after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in a club game against Ballinhassig and it was feared at the time that he would miss the rest of the season.

However, his recovery has been much quicker than was anticipated at the time and, with Kelly in mind again after his display against Limerick, he is now believed to be a very serious contender to figure again on Sunday after being named a sub in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin.

He returned to competitive action for Bride Rovers against Midleton in the Cork SHC and featured prominently in two trial games behind closed doors at Cork training.

Who would make way for him if he gets the nod is the major question.

Tom Kenny was replaced after 44 minutes against the Dubs by Stephen White but that does not mean he would be the one to drop out if Murphy is recalled.

The selectors might have a different line of thinking altogether but selector Kieran Kingston would not be drawn on the subject last night and was keeping his cards very close to his chest.

“Everybody, bar Paudie O’Sullivan, is fit and available for selection and that’s our only comment on what the starting 15 will be.

“Obviously, Brian Murphy is in contention again and he is fully fit like everybody else,’’ Kingston told the Echo.

Cork trained last Sunday will train tonight in Páirc Uí Rinn and again on Thursday night before the selectors reveal their hand for one of the most eagerly awaited finals for years, the first all Munster final since 1997 when Tipp and Clare clashed with the latter prevailing.

Words by John Horgan, Evening Echo