Cork start with four new faces

National Hurling League News round-up: All-Ireland champions Cork introduce four newcomers for Sunday's opening match in the Allianz National Hurling League against Offaly. A combination of injury and unavailability means only six of their All-Ireland winning side will travel to Birr, but manager John Allen was content to give several fresh faces their chance.

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Brian Corcoran, Tom Kenny, John Gardiner and Niall McCarthy are among those held back, and with Newtownshandrum's trio of captain Pat Mulcahy and Ben and Jerry O'Connor also unavailable, Sunday's starting line-up comes across as largely experimental.

Killian Cronin is named at full back having impressed with Cloyne in last year's Cork championship, and there's also a first senior start at wing back for Shane O'Neill of Bishopstown, who has proven his worth at minor and under-21 level.

Kevin Hartnett of Russell Rovers is also give his first senior start at midfield, where he is joined by Mickey O'Connell, who made a surprise return to the panel in recent weeks having opted out last year. Ronan Conway gets his chance at wing forward alongside Timmy McCarthy and Graham Callanan.

Wayne Sherlock also makes a welcome return to corner back having missed so much of last year through injury, while Diarmuid O'Sullivan is moved from full back to wing back - where he plays with his club.

Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields, who started in the All-Ireland final, plays in the full-forward line alongside his namesake from Erin's Own. Gardiner, Kenny and Niall McCarthy are all named among the substitutes while Corcoran and Ó hAilpín both sit out the opening round.

Limerick manager Joe McKenna has called up former dual player Mark Riordan for their opening match against Tipperary. Like the rest of the dual players in Limerick, Riordan had devoted himself to football in recent years but last month opted to concentrate entirely on hurling.

McKenna has rewarded him for his commitment with his first league start at corner back, while also introducing three other newcomers - goalkeeper Brian Murray, wing back Denis Moloney and centre forward Neil Collins.

Another dual player, Stephen Lucey, has been named at full back although he will undergo a fitness test before Sunday's match at the Gaelic Grounds having picked up a leg injury in last weekend's challenge game against Cork.

Waterford are hoping team captain Paul Flynn will recover from a leg injury in time for Sunday's meeting with Wexford, while Séamus Prendergast is also doubtful because of the flu. Manager Justin McCarthy is also without Ken McGrath, who remains suspended and won't be available until the game against Clare on March 12th, while Tony Browne is currently in Canada on business and is not expected back until next month.

The close nature of Sunday's All-Ireland club semi-final between Kilmacud Crokes and Salthill-Knocknacarra is reflected by the fact Boylesports cannot separate their chances of victory. The draw is priced at 7 to 1 and both teams are 12 to 5 to win the championship.

Cork's Nemo Rangers have been installed as favourites for the title at 5 to 4, and are also favourites at 2 to 5 to dismiss Belfast club St Gall's this weekend.

CORK (SH v Offaly): D Óg Cusack; W Sherlock, K Cronin, C O'Connor; D O'Sullivan, R Curran, S O'Neill; K Hartnett, M O'Connell; T McCarthy, G Callanan, R Conway; K Murphy (Sasfields), K Murphy (Erin's Own), J Deane.

LIMERICK (SH v Tipperary): B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M Riordan; O Moran, B Geary, D Moloney; D O'Grady, P O'Grady; M O'Brien, N Coillins, N Moran; A O'Shaughnessy, TJ Ryan, M Keane.