Limerick v Cork: Shane Barrett back in starting lineup as Rebels make one change

The return of Shane Barrett from suspension is the only change to the Cork senior hurling team for Sunday’s Munster SHC clash with Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds (4pm).

The Blarney man was suspended for the win over Tipperary three weeks ago following a sending-off in the Rebels’ opening provincial clash, the draw with Clare.

Barrett comes into the half-forward line in a straight swap with Séamus Harnedy, who had been struggling with an Achilles injury and is able to be named as a substitute. Jack O’Connor, a sub against Tipp, is the unfortunate player to miss out.

Captain Robert Downey, who was forced off injured against Tipperary with a dead leg – having had to retire against Clare with swelling in his knee – has been passed fit and once again takes his place at centre-back, flanked by Ciarán Joyce and Mark Coleman while Tim O’Mahony and Ethan Twomey continue in midfield.

Goalkeeper Patrick Collins makes his 26th consecutive championship appearance while the full-back line of Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey and Seán O’Donoghue remains unchanged for the tenth straight match, since the game against Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year.

Cork’s full-forward line of Brian Hayes – winner of the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Month Award for April – Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan have combined for a total tally of 3-25 across the two games to date.

“I suppose the goal mentality is within our nature as inside forwards anyway,” said Hayes earlier this week as he received his award, “but I suppose you wouldn't want to read too much into it.

“If the opportunity comes, you're going to take on your man. 

I think we've taken a good few goal chances this year as a playing group, so hopefully we can keep that going.”

Having beaten the Shannonsiders by 3-28 to 3-26 in the provincial round-robin clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh last May and then again in July’s All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park (1-28 to 0-29), Cork are aiming for a third straight championship win against them for the first time since a run of four victories in the 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Fourteen starters from each of last year’s victories are again present, with Harnedy the only one missing in either instance – Joyce missed the Munster championship game while Twomey started that but was injured between then and the semi-final.

The Munster Council have confirmed that Sunday’s game is a sell-out. Prior to the match, the crowd at the Ennis Road venue will be entertained by Tipperary band The Oars, who will perform a 40-minute set from 2.35pm.

Gates open at 2pm and supporters are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays.

CORK (Munster SHC v Tipperary): 

Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); 

Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra); 

Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers, c), Mark Coleman (Blarney); 

Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s); 

Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Shane Barrett (Blarney); 

Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Alan Connolly (Blackrock), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: 

Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Shane Kingston (Douglas).