Cork make six changes for Clare clash

CORK have made a total of six changes to their starting lineup for Sunday’s Munster SHC clash with Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (2pm).

Following last Sunday’s defeat to Waterford, this clash isn’t absolutely make-or-break but the fact that Clare also lost, at home to Limerick, means that both sides come in under pressure and needing a win to get back on track.

In defence, Niall O’Leary and Eoin Downey come into the full-back line alongside captain Seán O’Donoghue and in front of goalkeeper Patrick Collins, while Tim O’Mahony is named at wing-back. Ciarán Joyce is at centre-back while Robert Downey is at left half-back. Ger Millerick, Damien Cahalane and Mark Coleman drop to the bench.

Ethan Twomey comes into midfield for his first championship start, partnering Darragh Fitzgibbon, as Tommy O’Connell is named as a substitute.

Declan Dalton, unavailable last week due to a hamstring injury, is selected at right half-forward while Brian Hayes is given the number 13 jersey – Conor Lehane and Seán Twomey the two starters from last week who are kept in reserve. Shane Barrett, one of Cork’s better performers in the first round, is named at number 11 while Séamus Harnedy is retained on the left wing.

Hayes partners Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan in the full-forward line, an area to which Cork will focus on providing better service.

Also returning to the panel is Shane Kingston, who, like Dalton, was ruled out of the first match with a hamstring injury. He is included among the replacements. Brian Roche and Eoin Carey, subs in Walsh Park, are the players to miss out.

Cork (Munster SHC v Clare): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers); Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville); Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s); Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers).

Subs: Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Mark Coleman (Blarney), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers).