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 8 September 2004 Irish Examiner | |||
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John Gardiner returns at right half-back to the Cork team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC final with Kilkenny at Croke Park.
The Na Piarsaigh player, who was forced to miss the semi-final victory over Wexford because of a hand injury, is set to replace his deputy on that occasion, Cian O’Connor.
This marks the only change to the side that tore Wexford apart in the penultimate stage of the competition.
Once Gardiner was passed fit for the deciding clash against Kilkenny, it was always on the cards that he would get the nod because of his greater experience at this level, even though O’Connor held his end up well when thrown in at the deep end against Wexford.
Left corner-back Brian Murphy of Bride Rovers and right corner-forward Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields will be the only players on the side making their All-Ireland final debuts. It will also feature the return to the biggest stage for full forward Brian Corcoran, who emerged as a colossus during Cork’s 1999 final triumph.
With the unfortunate Jonathon O’Callaghan ruled out because of a facial injury, there was no way the Cork selectors were going top change the attack that demolished Wexford.
Kilkenny are due to announce their team tonight but a doubt surrounds outstanding defender Tommy Walsh, who damaged a hamstring in training.
A decision on Michael Kavanagh’s fitness is expected to be taken after tonight’s training session in Nowlan Park.
Kavanagh has not trained with the team for over a week, since he suffered a hamstring injury in a session in St John’s Park. The understanding is that he will be put through his paces tonight and that the selectors will consult with team doctor Tadhg Crowley before taking a decision on him.
However, last night Kilkenny manager Brian Cody had not given up hope that the 25-year-old would be fit to play.
“We will give Michael every chance,” he insisted. “If need be, the final decision will be left until shortly before the game.”
Speculation that centre-back Peter Barry might have been a doubtful starter for the final has been quashed. The James Stephens man received a cut hand in training last Thursday night and received three stitches in the injury.
If Kavanagh is forced out, the management have a number of options. Tommy Walsh could be dropped back from the wing to the right corner and replaced on the wing by either Sean Dowling or Richie Mullally. Alternatively, Walter Bourke, a recognised corner-back, could be drafted in.
Team. CORK (SH v Kilkenny): D. og Cusack; W. Sherlock, D. O'Sullivan, B. Murphy; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. og O'h-Ailpin; J. O'Connor, T. Kenny; B. O'Connor, N. McCarthy, T. McCarthy; K. Murphy, B. Corcoran, J. Deane.
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