Team news: Hurley comes in as Cork footballers head for Leitrim

CORK make a number of changes for the long-haul trip to play Leitrim in Division 3 in Carrick-on-Shannon tomorrow at 2pm.

There’s a first start for Cill na Martra wing-back Tadhg Corkery in a re-jigged defence.

Tom Clancy (Clonakilty) takes over at full-back with Kevin Crowley (Millstreet) switching to corner-back and Clon’s Liam O’Donovan wearing number six.

Brian Hartnett (Douglas) retains his place after debuting against Offaly last week. He partners skipper Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s) at midfield. Hartnett, pictured below, was a star performer at U20 and got his first start in the league opener, albeit in the half-forward line.

John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), who came against Offaly, starts at right half-forward while Michael Hurley (Castlehaven) gets the nod at number 13. Hurley was electric as a second-half sub in the victory over Offaly, hitting 0-5, four from play.

Cathail O’Mahony (Michelstown) is named in the other corner with Ciarán Sheehan (Éire Óg) retained at full-forward.

Damien Gore started last weekend against Offaly but is out as he was also on duty this week for CIT as they reached the Trench Cup final.

Luke Connolly and Paul Kerrigan are likely to come into the mix to start after the trip the Leitrim, but having returned to training following Nemo’s run to the All-Ireland club semi-final, they’re on the bench here. Brian Hurley is recovering from a hamstring injury while Mark Collins has yet to feature this term.

CORK: MA Martin (Nemo Rangers); S Powter (Douglas), T Clancy (Clonakilty), K Crowley (Millstreet); T Corkery (Cill na Martra), L O’Donovan (Clonakilty), M Taylor (Mallow); I Maguire (St Finbarr’s), B Hartnett (Douglas); J O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), S White (Clonakilty), R Deane (Bantry Blues); M Hurley (Castlehaven), C Sheehan (Éire Óg), C O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).

Subs: J Creedon (Iveleary), A Browne (Newmarket), P Murphy (Bandon), T Clancy (Fermoy), C Kiely (Ballincollig), K O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), R Harkin (Mallow), Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers), L Connolly (do), S Forde (Na Piarsaigh), S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).