Team news: Cork make six changes for Clare clash, while Tipp side announced for Munster SHC opener
Pat Ryan will be hoping his Cork team can end a four-match run in the Munster SHC without a win when they host Clare at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Cork hurling boss Pat Ryan has performed major surgery on his side ahead of their crucial Munster clash with Clare in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.
Ryan has made six changes from the side that lost to Waterford last weekend with Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Tim O’Mahony, Ethan Twomey, Declan Dalton and Brian Hayes all coming into the side, meaning Ryan has changed every line on the pitch.
Tipperary have handed first championship starts to Eoghan Connolly and Sean Hayes as they start their campaign with the visit of five in a row chasing Tipperary.
Ronan Maher captains the team from full back with former Munster rugby player Alan Tynan named at half forward.
The likes of the McGrath brothers, Noel and John, and Patrick Bonner Maher have been named on the bench.
Meanwhile, Armagh have stuck with the same side that beat Fermanagh last time out for Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final meeting with Down in Clones.
Rian O’Neill is named at midfield alongside Ben Crealey with Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin and Jarly Óg Burns named in the full-forward line.
Blaine Hughes keeps his place between the posts but Ethan Rafferty has been named on the bench after recovering from injury.
Cork (SHC v Clare): P Collins; N O’Leary, E Downey, S O’Donoghue; T O’Mahony, C Joyce, R Downey; E Twomey, D Fitzgibbon; D Dalton, S Barrett, S Harnedy; B Hayes, A Connolly, P Horgan.
Tipperary (SHC v Limerick): B Hogan; J Ryan, R Maher, C Morgan; M Breen, B O’Mara, C Bowe; W Connors, E Connolly; A Tynan, G O’Connor, J Forde; J Morris, M Kehoe, S Hayes.
Armagh (SFC v Down): B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, P McGrane; J McElroy, Ciaran Mackin, A Forker; R O’Neill, B Crealey; S Campbell, R Grugan, O Conaty; C Turbitt, A Murnon, J Og Burns.
