Cork v Kildare: Key players return as Rebels name team for crunch fixture 

John Cleary’s hand has been strengthened by the return of key players for Cork’s crucial Allianz Division 2 Football League encounter against Kildare at Páirc Uí Rinn tomorrow (5pm).

In what is the penultimate league fixture with the stakes high for the Rebels after their 20-point drubbing to Derry nearly two weeks ago, there are five changes from that defeat at Find Insurance Celtic Park.

Seán Brady, Brian O’Driscoll, Tommy Walsh and Mark Cronin return following injuries while team captain Ian Maguire is back in the middle of the field following a one-match ban.

The players to drop out from the Derry game are Seán Meehan, Matty Taylor, Rory Maguire, Seán Walsh and Conor Corbett.

On the bench, Patrick Doyle is back from injury as he wears the number 16 jersey. Also back from a spell on the treatment table is Brian Hurley.

The Leesiders have been in Portugal on a warm-weather training camp since their last game against Derry as they look to get their promotion charge back on track.

Cork sit third in the table, outside the promotion places on scoring difference with Derry and Meath holding those positions at the moment.

Derry take on Louth away in Ardee tomorrow at 3pm while Meath and Tyrone do battle in Croke Park at 5pm, which is also taking place tomorrow.

Cork finish their regular league season away to Tyrone on Sunday week at O’Neills Healy Park in Omagh at 1.15pm.

CORK (v Kildare):

Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers);

Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Seán Brady (Ballygarvan);

Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig);

Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s, capt);

Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Seán McDonnell (Mallow);

Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam), Matty Taylor (Mallow), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown), Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven), David Buckley (Newcestown), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues), Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven).