Cork v Clare: Kieran Kingston makes three changes for vital clash in Thurles

CORK have made three changes to the team that lost to Limerick for Sunday's Munster Hurling Championship joust with Clare in Semple Stadium on Sunday, 2pm.

In come Robert Downey, Seamus Harnedy and Jack O'Connor for the injured Damien Cahalane, Conor Cahalane and Conor Lehane respectively. Shane Kingston goes to centre-forward to take on Banner veteran John Conlon, with Shane Barrett in a lively inside line with Patrick Horgan and Jack O'Connor.

Ciarán Joyce, the promising Castlemartyr club man switches to centre-back, with Mark Coleman reverting to the number seven berth where he was an All-Star in 2017. Of course, despite those nominal alterations, Coleman could still man the centre of defence come throw-in.

Brian Lohan and his selectors have opted for the same line-up from the impressive win over Tipperary in Thurles last weekend. Shane O'Donnell and Robin Mounsey weren't in the side originally before the Banner made late changes and they've retained their positions in the half-forward line.

Promising youngster Shane Meehan remains absent after sustaining a hamstring injury in last week's warm-up but Aron Shanagher returns to the bench.

It's a must-win for the Rebels who have shipped huge criticism lately after underperforming in the league final defeat to Waterford and then fading out of the Limerick match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 

The top three in Munster progress and Cork's last two games are away to Waterford and Tipperary.

CORK v Clare: 

Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); 

Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); 

Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Mark Coleman (Blarney, c);

Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s); 

Seamus Harnedy (St Ita's), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin's Own); 

Shane Barrett (Blarney), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields).

Subs: Ger Collins (Ballinhassig), Sean O’Leary-Hayes (Midleton), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers), Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Mark Keane (Ballygiblin), Alan Connolly (Blackrock).

CLARE v Cork: 

Eibhear Quilligan; 

Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan; 

Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; 

David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; 

Ryan Taylor, Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell; 

Robin Mounsey, Peter Duggan, Ian Galvin.