Galway v Cork: Rebels make four changes for trip to Salthill

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026 - 19:00

Denis Hurley

Brian O’Sullivan makes his first Allianz Hurling League start in three years as Cork make four changes for Saturday night’s clash with Galway at Pearse Stadium (7pm).

The Kanturk man, recalled to the panel this year by Ben O’Connor, last started in the league in the 2023 opening-round win over Limerick. He is selected at midfield alongside Tommy O’Connell as captain Darragh Fitzgibbon moves to the half-forward line.

Séamus Harnedy also comes into the side at wing-forward for his first appearance of the year while Brian Roche moves from number 10 to 13.

In defence, Roche’s twin brother Eoin is selected at corner-back while Eoin Downey is at right half-back. Seán O’Donoghue, Cormac O’Brien, Diarmuid Healy and William Buckley are the starters from last week to miss out. The latter two were in Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final action with MTU Cork and UCC respectively during the week.

Séamus Harnedy, who has yet to play this year, is picked in the half-forward line. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

As with last week’s 14-point win over Waterford to open the campaign, the Cork team features ten of the starters from last year’s All-Ireland final – and two more, Tim O’Mahony and All-Star Brian Hayes, are included among the substitutes are not being involved last week as they recovered from minor injuries.

Galway, who lost to All-Ireland champions Tipperary last week, have made two changes, with Ronan Glennon and Cathal Mannion coming into Micheál Donoghue’s side.

CORK (HL v Galway): Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Dáire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers); Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Mark Coleman (Blarney); Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk); Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville, c), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s); Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s), Alan Connolly (Blackrock).

Subs: Paudie O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neills’s), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s), Darragh O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s), Micheál Mullins (Glen Rovers), Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Brian Keating (Ballincollig), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket), Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), Alan Walsh (Kanturk), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s).