Former hurler of the year Brian Corcoran has returned to the Cork panel ahead of Sunday's National Hurling League second series clash against Galway. After almost three years in the wilderness his return comes at an optimum time.
Corcoran, surprisingly, retired from the game at just 28. The rumour mill kicked in regarding a possible return to the county colours after he lined out for his club Erins Own last month. Blackrock's John Browne also comes back into the panel.
Manager Donal O'Grady has made few changes to the starting line-up with John Gardiner moving into midfield and Tom Kenny going to wing back.
Meanwhile, Galway manager Conor Hayes has named the same team that defeated Laois last week.
Brian Lohan makes his first start of the season for Clare against Tipperary on Sunday. The Wolfe Tones defender has been troubled by a hamstring strain but did play a part against Waterford last week.
Injuries to Seanie McMahon (knee) and David Hoey (ribs) means manager Anthony Daly is forced to reshuffle his half-back line. Conor Plunkett is shifted back into the middle of defence to counter the physical presence of John Carroll, while Brian Lynch gets his first league start.
The Waterford team to play Limerick will be named this evening. Eoin McGrath is a big loss after fracturing his wrist against the same opposition in a challenge match on April 4th. Eoin Murphy (injured) and Brian Wall are absent, while Seán Ryan is doubtful.
Kilkenny give a senior debut to Brian Hogan for their match against Offaly at Nowlan Park. Conor Phelan operates at centre forward in the absence of the injured Henry Shefflin.
Offaly will not name their side until tomorrow, at the earliest, because of the first round of their senior club championship.
They only trained for the first time in 10 days last night. Ger Oakley is still a major doubt because of a shoulder injury. No decision has been made on Simon Whelahan's fitness as the Birr panel have been holidaying in Tenerife.
Dublin's preparations for the crunch relegation battle against Antrim have been hindered by the loss of inspirational midfielder David Sweeney, who damaged his hand playing for his club Ballyboden St Enda's.
Kevin Flynn drops back into midfield leaving the full forward slot vacant. Sweeney is joined on the absentee list by goalkeeper Brendan McLoughlin (ankle), Liam Ryan and Derek O'Reilly (dislocated shoulder).
Wexford manager John Conran has completely revamped his half-forward line in advance of their showdown with Laois. David O'Connor comes in at centre forward in place of Michael Jacob, while Barry Lambert and MJ Furlong are named at wing forward.
Vacancies have been left in the half-back line in the hope that Declan Ruth and Michael O'Leary recover from knocks.
Their opponents have made just one change that sees David Cuddy coming back in at centre forward, although a gap has been left at left half forward.
GALWAY (SH v Cork): L Donoghue; D Joyce, D Cloonan, O Canning; D Hardiman, D Hayes, F Moore; T Óg Regan, F Healy; M Kerins, D Forde, R Gantley; Damien Hayes, E Cloonan, A Kerins.
CORK (SH v Galway): D Óg Cusack; W Sherlock, D O'Sullivan, M Prendergast; T Kenny, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; J Gardiner, P Tierney; J O'Callaghan, M Byrne, N McCarthy; B Lombard, E Collins, J Deane.
CLARE (SH v Tipperary): G O'Connell; C Harrison, B Lohan, C Forde; B Lynch, C Plunkett, G Quinn; O Baker, D McMahon; A Markham, C Lynch, J O'Connor; N Gilligan, F Lohan, D Forde.
KILKENNY (SH v Offaly): PJ Ryan; M Phelan, N Hickey, JJ Delaney; K Coogan, P Barry, B Hogan; P Tennyson, J Tyrrell; DJ Carey, C Phelan, T Walsh; J Fitzpatrick, M Comerford, A Fogarty.
DUBLIN (SH v Antrim): G Maguire; D Spain, S Perkins, S Daly; K Wilson, C Keaney, K Ryan; K Meehan, K Flynn; D Curtain, R Fallon, T Moore; S Martin, AN Other, M Carton.
LAOIS (SH v Wexford): K Galvin; L Mahon, P Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Fitzpatrick, P Cuddy, M McEvoy; J Young, J Walsh; C Coonan, D Cuddy, AN Other; T Fitzgerald, L Tynan, D Culleton.
WEXFORD (SH v Laois): D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, D Ryan, M Travers; W Doran, AN Other, AN Other; R Stafford, A Fenlon; B Lambert, D O'Connor, MJ Furlong; M Jordan, P Carley, R Jacob.
DUBLIN (Under-21FC v Longford): P Copeland; C Prenderville, M Fitzpatrick, P Griffin; B Lyons, B Cullen, N Cooper; D O'Mahony, P Brennan; S Hiney, D Kelleher, G Cullen; D O'Callaghan, M Whelan, J Noonan.
