Cork v Westmeath: Key players return to the bench as Rebels name team

Cork boss John Cleary has made no changes to the starting team for his side’s Allianz Division 2 football league clash on Saturday evening against Westmeath.

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is the venue for a 5pm start for this third fixture of the new season, as the Rebels stick with the same 15 that got edged out by Down two weeks ago in Páirc Esler. Cork lost 1-19 to 2-15, despite being up 10 points at one stage in the first half and five clear with a quarter of the game remaining.

Seán Powter, who went off just before half-time in the loss to Down due to injury, is named to start for the big clash against the team from Leinster. The early indications was that the Douglas star would be sidelined for a number of weeks, but Cleary did say on Tuesday, when speaking to The Echo, that Powter was “doubtful” for the Westmeath encounter.

The big news is on the substitutes bench with the return of some important figures. Netminder Micheál Aodh Martin has recovered from injury that saw him miss the Down game as he replaces Christopher Kelly as sub goalkeeper.

The options in reserve have been beefed up with Ian Maguire, Ruairí Deane and Brian Hurley all set to be among the substitutes having not featured in the opening two league matches due to injury. It’s a significant boost for Cork heading into a match that is arguably a must-win with Monaghan and Roscommon coming up in the next two matches after Westmeath. 

Éanna Desmond is on the standby list, so whether there could be a late change to the subs remains to be seen. Conor Cahalane, who switched from the Cork hurlers to the Cork footballers last week, isn’t named on the matchday 26.

The Rebels have a chance to win back-to-back home matches in the league on Saturday for the first time in five years, and that was when they were in Division 3. It’s 2015 since Cork last recorded successive home league victories in one of the top two tiers in the league.

Cork have two points on the board so far, the win over Meath down the Páirc in the opener before losing away to Down. Westmeath have played well in patches in their two games, but suffered defeats to Louth and Monaghan, as the newly promoted side look to get their first points on the board this weekend.

CORK (v Westmeath):

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:

Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Bríain Murphy (Nemo Rangers), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Seán Brady (Ballygarvan), Cathal Maguire (Castlehaven), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown), Luke Murphy (Cullen).

On standby: Éanna Desmond (Carrigaline).