Patrick Horgan set for first start as Cork name team for Kilkenny clash

FIRST START: Cork's Patrick Horgan in action against Tipperary's Michael Breen. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton.

Patrick Horgan is set to make his first start for Cork this season in Saturday evening’s Allianz Division 1A, Round 5 clash with Kilkenny in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (5pm throw-in).

The 36-year-old, who came off the bench against Tipperary, is one of four changes to the side that started the defeat in Thurles last weekend.

Captain Robert Downey is named in the team the first since suffering an ankle injury in the opening day win over Wexford and replaces Cormac O’Brien.

Along with Horgan, Declan Dalton enters the attack after serving his two-game ban and they are joined by Diarmuid Healy. Dropping to the bench with O'Brien are Ethan Twomey, Jack O’Connor and Robbie Cotter.

The team features 11 of the side that lost last year’s All-Ireland final to Clare. Missing due to unavailability are Mark Coleman (calf), Seán O’Donoghue (groin), Seamus Harnedy (thumb) and Alan Connolly.

Shane Kingston (groin) is also sidelined.

CORK (AHL v Kilkenny): P. Collins (Ballinhassig); N. O’Leary (Castlelyons), E. Downey (Glen Rovers), G. Millerick (Fr O’Neills); C. Joyce (Castlemartyr), R. Downey (c, Glen Rovers), M. Mullins (Glen Rovers); D. Fitzgibbon (Charleville), T. O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum); D Dalton (Fr O’Neills), S. Barrett (Blarney), D. Healy (Lisgoold); B. Hayes (St Finbarrs), R. O’Flynn (Erin’s Own); P. Horgan (Glen Rovers).

Subs: B. Saunderson (Midleton), E. Roche (Bride Rovers), D. Cahalane (St Finbarrs), C. O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), L. Meade (Newcestown), E. Twomey (St Finbarrs), J. O’Connor (Sarsfields), R. Cotter (Blackrock), J. Cahalane (St Finbarrs), T. O’Connell (Midleton), B. Roche (Bride Rovers).