Cork footballers name unchanged team for trip to Louth

CORK have named an unchanged side for the crucial Allianz Division 2 football league clash against Louth on Sunday at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee with throw-in at 1pm.

The Rebels were well beaten by Donegal in the opening league match last Sunday in Ballybofey as they went down by 11 points, 1-20 to 2-6.

Brian Hurley, who got through 50 minutes last weekend keeps his place with the Castlehaven sharpshooter down to start at full-forward. Hurley replaced Conor Corbett in the only change from the team that was announced a couple of days before the match, due to Corbett picking up an injury while he was on Sigerson Cup duty for DCU.

Patrick Doyle remains in goal. The defence, who endured a difficult afternoon last weekend, is as you were, with Tommy Walsh down as the full-back, with Maurice Shanley and Séan Meehan the respective corner-backs.

Rory Maguire is the centre-back, with Luke Fahy and Matty Taylor at 5 and 7. It’s a settled midfield at this stage with Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan in the middle of the park. The forwards had their moments against Donegal, but it wasn’t consistent enough and manager John Cleary and his selectors will be expecting a big performance from them on Sunday.

Eoghan McSweeney popped up with a goal in the defeat to Jim McGuinness’ side while Brian O’Driscoll landed two points, from play. The pair are the two wing-forwards with David Buckley at centre-forward. Hurley is at full-forward with Ruairí Deane and Chris Óg Jones, who has been impressive recently, the two corner-forwards.

After Sunday, the Rebels have a two-week gap to the next outing, with Cavan visiting SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 17 at 4pm, which will be the Leesiders first home match of the new season after two tricky away encounters.

CORK (v Louth):

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree);

Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam);

Luke Fahy (Ballincollig), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Matty Taylor (Mallow);

Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg);

Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), David Buckley (Newcestown), Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh);

Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary).

Subs: Christopher Kelly (Éire Óg), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Kevin Flahive (Douglas), John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Cathal Maguire (Castlehaven), Blake Murphy (St Vincent’s), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s), Jack Cahalane (Castlehaven).