Cork hurlers make two changes for Clare as Robert Downey returns ahead of schedule

Barry Walsh also comes into the line-up for Hugh O'Connor with captain Darragh Fitzgibbon out for the rest of the Munster campaign

KEY MAN: After going off injury late against Limerick, Cork hurler Robert Downey returns to face Clare. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Robert Downey is back from injury in the centre-back berth for Cork's Munster SHC clash with Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Sunday, 4pm.

The 2024 All-Star, who endured an injury-disrupted stint as Cork captain last year, limped off late in the win over Limerick four weeks ago.

The Glen Rovers man was diagnosed with an ankle issue and the expectation was he'd be in a race against time to make the provincial final if Cork got there.

However, he returned to training this week and his availability is a major boost for Ben O'Connor and his selectors, given captain Darragh Fitzgibbon was ruled out following an appendectomy last weekend. Tim O'Mahony was in the number six role in the victory over Waterford but can now go back to midfield alongside Tommy O'Connell.

Barry Walsh starts his third senior game this Sunday. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Barry Walsh, who missed out in Walsh Park due to a load management after an U20 game with Clare four days earlier, comes in at wing-forward. Hugh O'Connor drops to the bench having started in midfield against the Déise. Robbie O'Flynn, the first forward sub introduced the last day, is out with a hamstring injury.

Declan Dalton is part of the matchday 26 for the first time in the provincial arena this summer after an impressive performance for his club Fr O'Neill's in their league win over St Finbarr's last Sunday. Micheál Mullins, a starter in the league final loss to Limerick, is back following illness with Eoin Roche also in the squad.

Cork are down Ciarán Joyce for the rest of the year after an operation on his cruciate while Dáire O’Leary, after starting five league games at full-back, hasn't featured since March due to a succession of injuries.

Mark Coleman takes over from Fitzgibbon as captain against Clare.

CORK (Munster SHC v Clare): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Mark Coleman (Blarney, c); Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton); Barry Walsh (Killeagh), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold); Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), William Buckley (St Finbarr’s). 

Subs: Paudie O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neill’s), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), Micheál Mullins (Glen Rovers), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Pádraig Power (Blarney), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Alan Walsh (Kanturk), Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s).