No changes for Counihan’s Cork

Cork manager Conor Counihan has opted to field an unchanged team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Roscommon.

Cork manager Conor Counihan has opted to field an unchanged team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Roscommon.

There was much speculation that Counihan would alter his side after the sluggish extra-time victory over Limerick last week, but he has remained loyal to his starting line-up.

Noel O’Leary, Derek Kavanagh and Paul Kerrigan were brought in as late changes for the Limerick game, and the trio have retained their starting places for this weekend’s Croke Park clash (throw-in 2pm).

O’Leary will link up again with team captain Graham Canty and Paudie Kissane in the half-back line, supporting a midfield partnership of Kavanagh and Aidan Walsh.

Kerrigan gets the nod at right half-forward, with Donncha O’Connor, who kicked two points as a substitute against Limerick, and Fintan Goold among the attackers to miss out.

Nicholas Murphy and Alan O’Connor also have to be content with places on the bench.

The Rebels are bidding to maintain their 100% record in All-Ireland quarter-finals, having won all six of their previous fixtures in the last-eight of the All-Ireland Championship.

Cork won their first ever Championship meeting with Roscommon in the 1990 All-Ireland semi-final, claiming a 0-17 to 0-10 victory, but the Rossies evened thing up with a one-point first round qualifier success at Dr Hyde Park in 2003.

Speaking ahead of Cork's fourth game in as many weeks, goalkeeper Alan Quirke said: "There's no doubt about it, it's going to be physically difficult because of all the football we've played over the last few weeks.

"But teams have managed to do it coming from the qualifiers in the past, so there's no reason why we can't do that.

"There were no real celebrations after the Limerick game. It was just an ice bath and a bit of grub and we had a good recovery session on Sunday.

"We have a good panel and that's what we'll need this weekend.

"To beat Limerick in their own ground is an achievement that we're proud of. We've learnt a lot from these qualifier games - winning is a great habit to have and hopefully we can keep holding onto it," he said.

CORK (SFC v Roscommon): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, J O’Sullivan; N O’Leary, G Canty (capt), P Kissane; D Kavanagh, A Walsh; P Kerrigan, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C Sheehan, C O’Neill.

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

Meath v Kerry - Eirgrid GAA Football All-Ireland U20 Championship Semi-Final Unheralded, Kerry U20s have the Kingdom curious
Derek Lyng 11/5/2024 S Enda McEvoy: Another roll of the dice in Leinster's game of snakes and ladders
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited