Team News: Cork manager Larry Tompkins has sprung few surprises for the Munster championship opener against Limerick in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.
Of principal note in the team named last night is that Fionan Murray immediately regains his place at corner forward after returning from suspension, while Graham Canty will start among the substitutes because of the added pressure of his final college exams this week.
As expected Anthony Lynch returns from injury to fill one of the corner back positions, with Sean O'Brien getting the nod in the other corner. With Canty out of contention for a starting place, Derek Kavanagh is rewarded for his strong form of recent weeks and will partner Nicholas Murphy at midfield.
The forward line, beyond Murray's return, also more or less followed expected lines. Tom Kenny is the only real surprise entry in the half forward line beside Miceál Ó Croinín and Brendan Jer O'Sullivan, while Colin Corkery and Alan Cronin complete the full forward line.
There are also only six changes from Cork's last championship side, that which contested the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry last August. Gone from that starting line-up are defenders Ciaran O'Sullivan, Sean Levis and Ronan McCarthy, as well as Canty, along with forwards Joe Kavanagh and Philip Clifford.
Opponents' Limerick will also be at full strength after coming through last Sunday's NFL Division Two final against Westmeath without any fresh injury worries. It also seems certain that dual player Stephen Lucey can be utilised if necessary after his recent recovery from a hand injury.
All-Ireland champions Armagh, who begin the defence of their title against Monaghan in Clones on Sunday, will finalise their team after training this evening, but manager Joe Kernan has indicated that he won't be starting last year's full forward Ronan Clarke. Despite his full recovery from a hip operation in March, Clarke is lacking match fitness and for that reason Kernan will keep him on the bench.
It is uncertain, however, whether he will start Oisin McConville and Kieran McGeeney of his All-Ireland side, as well as current half back Kieran Hughes.
McConville and McGeeney are known to be fully recovered from the hamstring injuries that forced them to miss the league semi-final against Laois, yet Kernan may also keep one or both of them in reserve. Hughes is also back to full fitness after a recent illness, although definitely ruled out is All-Ireland corner back Enda McNulty, who suffered a dislocated shoulder against Laois.
Elsewhere, Louth are at practically full strength for their first round Leinster championship meeting with Wicklow, the game that opens the triple header in Croke Park on Sunday. Team captain Aaron Hoey is in his familiar full back position, with experienced attacker JP Rooney at full forward.
The main absentee is defender John Neary, who recently suffered a broken ankle while playing for his club and will be sidelined for at least another eight weeks.
Wexford, who are involved in the third game against Laois, will be without team captain John Hudson and fellow forward Tom Howlin, who are both sidelined with injury. Opponents Laois are expected to field an unchanged team from that which lost last Sunday's league final.
The second game, involving Westmeath against Carlow, is a repeat of last year's championship encounter - which Westmeath won 1-14 to 0-10. This time, however, Westmeath will be far closer to full strength and will need something of a major shock not to progress.
CORK (SF v Limerick): K O'Dwyer; S O'Brien; A O'Connor, A Lynch; N O'Leary, M Cronin, E Sexton; N Murphy, D Kavanagh; T Kenny, M O'Croinin, BJ O'Sullivan; A Cronin, C Corkery, F Murray.
LOUTH (SF v Wicklow): S Reynolds; A Page, A Hoey, D Brennan; S Gerard, P McGinnity, B Clarke; K Reilly, S O'Hanlon; N McDonnell, M Farrelly, P Keenan; JP Rooney, M Stanfield, O McDonnell.
