CORK MANAGER Conor Counihan has made one change to the team that overpowered Kildare for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Donegal. Patrick Kelly replaces Ciarán Sheehan at centre forward.
The Ballincollig man was unable to start the quarter-final due to a groin strain but did feature as a substitute.
Considering Counihan’s fairly consistent use of the bench, the usual group of players are expected to be introduced in the second-half or earlier depending on the scoreboard.
The starting XV contains most of the same men involved in capturing their first All-Ireland title two years ago.
The defensive seven and midfield are the same that featured in 2010. Of course captain Graham Canty was injured for that All-Ireland final victory over Down and was a replacement on the day with John Miskella starting at centre back that day. Miskella is no longer on the panel.
Fintan Goold and Colm O’Neill have since cemented starting roles on the right side of the forward lines while veteran midfielder Nicholas Murphy has been reinvented as a target man near the edge of the square.
But, as Counihan showed in the hugely impressive 2-19 to 0-12 dismissal of Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare, Sheehan, Daniel Goulding and Pearse O’Neill are inevitable alternatives to ensure Cork’s attacking game is relentless.
The other injury concern was corner back Ray Carey but he too has recovered to line up alongside Michael Shields and Eoin Cadogan. Carey is expected to be shifted out the field if Donegal adopt the giant two man full forward line of Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness may release a team for public consumption in the next 24 hours.
Or he may not.
Either way, it is expected to have a similar make-up to what started against Kerry in their quarter-final. There will be at least one change, however, as Neil Gallagher returns to the Ulster champions’ midfield alongside Rory Kavanagh. Ryan Bradley is also expected to feature around the middle third with Martin McElhinney the most likely to be used as an impact replacement.
Gallagher came in for McElhinney at half-time against Kerry. The big Glenswilly man had sustained ankle damage playing club football last month but is believed to have fully recovered.
The Donegal County Board is grappling this week with another issue, which is a by-product of their success: the widespread sale of replica Donegal jerseys and merchandise. Donegal secretary Hugh Martin Ferry told The Irish Times that the county board has approached a manufacturer of replica merchandise with the threat of legal action and has also warned retailers not to sell non-official gear.
The county’s official sponsors, Azzurri, are also said to be taking similar steps if the widespread sale of replica Donegal items continues.
In an email to all Donegal clubs, Ferry stated: “It has been brought to our attention that some clothing companies are producing replica Donegal GAA jerseys, T-shirts, polo shirts, flags, etc, using the Donegal GAA crest/logo. The Donegal GAA crest is patented and Donegal GAA has not granted permission to any parties to use our crest without permission.
“Also, the GAA brand has been used without consent, and the GAA in Croke Park have been made aware of this, and will monitor the situation. We would urge supporters to purchase only official GAA products as Donegal GAA gets a share of the profits raised in the sale of official items.
“By purchasing an official Azzurri Donegal GAA jersey, etc, you are contributing directly to Donegal GAA. We would ask supporters to inform us immediately of any non-Azzurri Donegal GAA items of clothing you may see for sale. Legal action may be taken against such unauthorised sale of Donegal GAA gear, and the use of the patented Donegal GAA crest.”
Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that Seamus McEnaney will be interviewed for a second stint as Monaghan football manager in the coming days. Declan Brennan, Declan Loughman, Michael O’Dowd, Kevin Carragher and Bernie Murray are also expected to be interviewed.
CORK(SFC v Donegal): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, E Cadogan; P Kissane, G Canty, N O'Leary; A O'Connor, A Walsh; F Goold, P Kelly, P Kerrigan; C O'Neill, D O'Connor, N Murphy.
