Allianz HL: Downey brothers and O’Mahony in as Cork make five changes for Kilkenny

There are five changes in personnel and a number of positional switches in the Cork team to face Kilkenny in the Allianz HL on Saturday night.

The first competitive game in the newly renamed SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in 7.30pm) brings together two teams beaten in their openers, with Cork losing to Clare last week while Kilkenny were drew with Wexford.

Cork have brought the Downey brothers, Robert and Eoin, and Tim O’Mahony into defence while Conor O’Callaghan comes into midfield and Luke Meade is named in the half-forward line.

Eoin Downey is at right corner-back, alongside Eoin Roche and captain Seán O’Donoghue. Niall O’Leary, who wore number 2 in Cusack Park, moves to centre-back, flanked by O’Mahony and Robert Downey in a new-look half-back line.

Ciarán Joyce, who excelled at centre-back against Clare, is rested along with Cormac O’Brien and Brian Hayes. The three of them played on Sunday and again on Wednesday in the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals, Joyce for MTU Cork and O’Brien and Hayes for UCC.

O’Callahan is partnered by Tommy O’Connell, who scored a fine goal from wing-back last week, as Brian Roche and Eoin Carey drop to the bench.

Meade is selected at right half-forward, joining Conor Lehane and Seán Twomey. Shane Kingston moves to the inside line, where Patrick Horgan and Robbie O’Flynn are also chosen.

Mark Coleman, who missed all of the 2023 inter-county season, is named among the substitutes and is likely to feature at some stage.

CORK (Allianz HL v Kilkenny): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers); Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe); Luke Meade (Newcestown), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers); Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Shane Kingston (Douglas).

Subs: Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), Dáire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), Mark Coleman (Blarney), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Eoin Carey (Kilworth), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields), Robbie Cotter (Blackrock).