Cork captain O'Donoghue returns as Ryan makes four changes

SKIPPER RETURNS: Sean O'Donoghue of Cork. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Cork captain Seán O’Donoghue is set to make his first 2023 championship appearance on Sunday as one of four changes from the team that began the draw against Tipperary.

As unbeaten Cork head to face Clare in Ennis, O’Donoghue is due to take Ger Mellerick’s place in defence, while Luke Meade, Conor Cahalane and Conor Lehane come in for Eoin Downey, Shane Barrett and the injured Robbie O’Flynn. 

Downey and Barrett drop to the bench.

O’Donoghue, who suffered a leg injury in the early league win over Limerick, was on the standby list for the opening provincial game against Waterford but has yet to see any championship action. 

Meade and Lehane began the victory over Waterford but began last Saturday’s week game with Tipperary among the substitutes having been named to start.

Just eight of the team began last year’s Munster SHC defeat to Clare – Patrick Collins, Niall O’Leary, O’Donoghue, Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan.

Victory for Cork on Sunday will confirm their place in the knock-out stages.

Meanwhile, Cork and Offaly’s U20 All-Ireland hurling final looks set to be played on the weekend of June 2/3. Offaly have applied for the game to be postponed, allowing Charlie Mitchell to line out in the May 27 Joe McDonagh Cup final against Carlow. There had been suggestions the U20 decider could form the curtain-raiser for that game in Croke Park.

The move also appears to be endorsed by Cork who could be able to call on senior panelist Eoin Downey, who has up to not been able to line out for Ben O’Connor’s side.

CORK (SHC v Clare): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarrs), Seán O’Donoghue (c, Inniscarra); Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers); Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville); Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), Seamus Harnedy (St Itas), Luke Meade (Newcestown); Conor Cahalane (St Finbarrs), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Conor Lehane (Midleton). 

Subs: Ger Collins (Ballinhassig), Ger Mellerick (Fr O’Neills), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarrs), Pádraig Power (Blarney), Alan Cadogan (Douglas), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Brian Hayes (St Finbarrs).