Brion Saunderson one of six changes as Ryan names Cork side for trip to Clare

TEAM NEWS: A first involvement of 2025 for goalkeeper Brion Saunderson is one of five changes to the Cork hurling team for Sunday’s spin to the home of the All-Ireland champions. 

A first involvement of 2025 for goalkeeper Brion Saunderson is one of six changes to the Cork hurling team for Sunday’s spin to the home of the All-Ireland champions.

Injuries have forced the hand of Cork manager Pat Ryan, with Ger Millerick, Ciarán Joyce, and Robbie O’Flynn, all of whom had to come off against Kilkenny because of various knocks, not part of the matchday panel for the Ennis assignment.

2024 captain Seán O’Donoghue, who hasn’t featured since the opening round win over Wexford, comes back in at corner-back. Tommy O’Connell, for his first start of the year, and Cormac O’Brien slot into the half-back line. Ethan Twomey, at half-forward, and Brian Roche in the corner complete the much-changed line-up.

Along with goalkeeper Patrick Collins and the aforementioned injured trio, young Micheál Mullins and Diarmuid Healy are the other two from the win over Kilkenny not to again be named in the starting team.

Their opponents show just one alteration to the side that scored Clare’s first League win of 2025 last weekend. Conor Cleary comes in at full-back for his first involvement of 2025. Losing out is David Reidy.

The Tipperary team to take on Kilkenny shows three changes from the side that overcame Cork a fortnight ago. Sam O’Farrell, Oisín O'Donoghue, and John McGrath replace Willie Connors, Sean Kenneally, and John McGrath.

Galway manager Micheál Donoghue has also made three changes for their trip to Limerick on Saturday evening. Kevin and Conor Cooney, both of whom were used off the bench in the win over Wexford, are promoted, as is corner-back Shane Morgan.

Cok (AHL v Clare): B Saunderson; N O’Leary, E Downey, S O’Donoghue; T O’Connell, R Downey, C O’Brien; T O’Mahony, D Fitzgibbon; D Dalton, S Barrett, E Twomey; B Roche, P Horgan, B Hayes.

Clare (AHL v Cork): E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, C Leen; C Galvin, J Conlon, D Lohan; C Malone, R Taylor; D Fitzgerald, J O’Neill, S Rynne; A McCarthy, M Rodgers, T Kelly.

Tipperary (AHL v Kilkenny): B Hogan; R Doyle, E Connolly, B O’Mara; S O’Farrell, R Maher, M Breen; C Morgan, J Caesar; G O’Connor, J Morris, A Tynan; D McCarthy, J McGrath, O O’Donoghue.

Kilkenny (AHL v Tipperary): E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, M Carey, P Deegan; P McDonald, J Molloy; M Keoghan, C Kenny, B Ryan; B Drennan, TJ Reid, G Dunne.

Galway (AHL v Limerick): D Fahy; S Morgan, F Burke, D Morrissey; P Mannion, G Lee, M Garvey; C Fahy, T Monaghan; K Cooney, T Killeen, David Burke; C Whelan, C Cooney, A Burns.

Clare (AFL v Sligo): E Tubridy; C Rouine, C Brennan, M Doherty; A Sweeney, F Kelleher, S McAllister; B McNamara, I Ugweuru; A Griffin, E McMahon, R McMahon; D Walsh, E Cleary, K Sexton.