Down v Cork: One change as Rebels name team for trip to Newry

Cork boss John Cleary has had to make one enforced change for his side’s Allianz Division 2 football league clash on Sunday afternoon against Down in Páirc Esler with throw-in at 1pm.

The alternation is between the sticks, with Micheál Aodh Martin out with a thigh injury that forced him off after 52 minutes last Saturday in the 2-19 to 0-21 victory over Meath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Patrick Doyle is back in goal for the first time in 12 months with the Knocknagree shot stopper no stranger to wearing the number one jersey for the Rebels.

Doyle was the hero in the McGrath Cup final success over Kerry last year when the Leesiders won after a penalty shootout, as he was rewarded with a start for the first two league games. Cork did lose to Donegal and Louth, with Doyle not to blame for those defeats, but an injury to Doyle gave Christopher Kelly a chance, which he took with both hands. Kelly will be sub goalkeeper for the trip to Newry this weekend.

Other than the change in goal, it’s as you were with the other starters the same as is the bench. Cork will be determined to build on the opening day win over Meath, but they will be fully aware of the challenge that Down will pose on Sunday.

The Rebels have a chance to end a 10-year wait to win the first two games in one of the top two tiers in the league. Also, with a two-week gap to the next match, which is at home to Westmeath on Saturday, February 15, a victory on Sunday would put Cork in a good position with some of the injured players likely to come back into contention for that outing, which will make the panel stronger. 

The three players who made their debuts last weekend, defender Neil Lordan, midfielder Seán Walsh and forward Seán McDonnell, all have a chance to impress the management again on Sunday.

After high-scoring action on the opening weekend, it will be fascinating to see how Round 2 develops under the new rules and whether there are patterns emerging and so on. Down were on the wrong end of a 3-21 to 1-20 scoreline against Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park in their opener. The Ulster side did play well for the majority and also kicked the most two-pointers in the country last weekend. 

CORK (v Down):

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree);

Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Neil Lordan (Ballinora);

Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Matty Taylor (Mallow);

Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown), Colm O'Callaghan (Éire Óg);

Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Seán Powter (Douglas), Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree);

Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary), Seán McDonnell (Mallow).

Subs:

Christopher Kelly (Éire Óg), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Bríain Murphy (Nemo Rangers), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Seán Brady (Ballygarvan), Seán Dore (Ballincollig), Cathal Maguire (Castlehaven), Éanna Desmond (Carrigaline), Hugh O'Connor (Newmarket), Cathail O'Mahony (Mitchelstown), Luke Murphy (Cullen).