Harnedy to make first league appearance of the season
Seamus Harnedy is set to make his first league appearance of the season tonight when Cork host Clare at Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.15pm.
The Rebel captain didn’t feature in the losses to Kilkenny and Wexford and his return is a boost for manager John Meyler and selectors, Kieran Murphy and Donal O’Mahony, who earlier in the day will be on the sideline when Christians meet Midleton CBS in the Harty Cup final at the same venue.
Originally the Cork fixture was slated for Páirc Uí Chaoimh but the revamped stadium was ruled out due to ongoing issues with pitch.
David Griffin comes into the Rebel line-up on the back of an impressive display earlier this week for UCC in beating DCU in the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final. The more high-profile College contingent Shane Kingston, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon aren’t included, though Luke Meade and Darren Browne from Mary I – who face UCC in the Fitz final – are on the bench.
Jamie Coughlan is given another opportunity by the management, having started the opening game against the Cats.
Aidan Walsh is in form after clipping 0-4 from play in the defeat to Wexford, while other returnees Stephen McDonnell and Cormac Murphy also start.
Clare have Tony Kelly on board after his suspension in a potent attack along with Podge Collins, Peter Duggan and John Conlon. The Banner's record is poor against Cork since the 2013 All-Ireland final, though they did get the better of their rivals in Ennis last spring.
: A Nash; S O’Donoghue, D Cahalane, S McDonnell; C Joyce, T O’Mahony, D Griffin; C Murphy, B Cooper; D Kearney, S Harnedy (c), C Lehane; J Coughlan, A Walsh, P Horgan.
P Collins, E Cadogan, D Browne, G Millerick, S O’Leary Hayes, C Cahalane, D Dooley, L Meade, T O’Connell, J O’Connor, A Cadogan.
