Cork hurlers make eight changes for league game in Offaly

Declan Dalton returns to the Cork team as one of eight changes for Sunday’s Allianz HL Division 1 Group A clash against Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park (1.15pm).

The Fr O’Neills attacker was forced off with a fractured metatarsal in the Co-op SuperStores Munster HL game against Clare at Páirc Uí Rinn in January but he has recovered and is named at number 10.

Patrick Collins returns in goal after Brion Saunderson made his league debut there in the win over Waterford a fortnight ago. Full-back Damien Cahalane retains his spot, flanked by Niall O’Leary and Eoin Downey, who replace Cathal McCarthy and captain Seán O’Donoghue respectively.

O’Donoghue was forced off against Waterford with a mild hamstring problem but he is fit enough to be named as a sub. In his absence, Ciarán Joyce captains the team from centre-back while Ger Millerick retains the number 5 jersey.

Mark Coleman made his first Cork start since 2022 against Waterford but a fractured jaw has ruled him for the rest of the league and Robert Downey comes in at left half-back.

Brian Roche and Luke Meade pair up at midfield instead of Ethan Twomey and Tommy O’Connell while Dalton is named alongside Conor Lehane and Séamus Harnedy, who both started against Waterford.

Lehane is the only ever-present for Cork in the league, with Patrick Horgan rested after starting the three games to date. His place at full-forward goes to Alan Connolly, who made a return as a sub against Waterford, having missed all of the 2023 inter-county season, with Shane Barrett and Jack O’Connor in the corners.

Depending on how results go in the remaining two rounds of fixtures, Cork could squeeze into a semi-final spot if they beat Offaly and then Wexford on Saturday week. More importantly, manager Pat Ryan wants to see Cork bring the momentum from the Waterford game.

“There’s an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals,” he says, “but we’re just looking at Offaly.

“In fairness, they’ve had a very good campaign so far and put in some huge performances. It’ll be another huge challenge, they’ll be targeting that game at home.

“It’s an early start and we’ll put our best foot forward.”

Darragh Fitzgibbon has yet to be involved this year but he is named as a substitute and could feature, too. The Munster SHC clash with Waterford on April 21 looms large and getting players to up speed for that is important.

“You’re trying to get fellas working in the system,” Ryan says, “but then you’re trying to give game-time to fellas who are coming back as well.

“It’s trying to marry the two up. 

The likes of Darragh and Deccie need a bit of game-time, they’re likely to be two big players for us as the year goes on.”

Cork (Allianz HL v Offaly): 

Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); 

Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers); 

Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr, c), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers); 

Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Luke Meade (Newcestown); 

Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s); 

Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Shane Barrett (Blarney). 

Subs: 

Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers), Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), Eoin Carey (Kilworth), Robbie Cotter (Blackrock), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville).