Cork give McMahon starting spot

CORK FOOTBALL manager Conor Counihan last night announced his team for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final replay against Kerry, despite the outcome of Donncha O'Connor's Central Hearings Committee not being released until later today.

O'Connor has been replaced in the team by Kevin McMahon, a late sub last weekend, with Pearse O'Neill moved to centre half forward and Graham Canty accommodated in midfield alongside Alan O'Connor.

Considering Donncha O'Connor scored four points in the drawn match, should the CHC rescind the red card and one-match ban he would probably be brought straight back into the side at the expense of McMahon. The side is otherwise unchanged with James Masters still on the bench despite his goal the last day.

The famed strength in depth of this Kerry panel will also get its truest test in Sunday's replay.

Eoin Brosnan is expected to be named as a direct replacement for the suspended Darragh Ó Sé in midfield, a position Brosnan filled before under Pat O'Shea, but at club level when Dr Crokes reached the All-Ireland club final of 2007.

A half forward by trade, Brosnan has featured at midfield for Kerry in the past but his real impact this season has been as a substitute, when his hard running has been a regular feature.

Brosnan lost his starting place to Donnacha Walsh after the Munster final defeat to Cork but Walsh has regularly made way, including at half-time last Sunday, but Kerry do possess a similar type of player in Darren O'Sullivan, who can be used on the wings as the second half develops.

Tommy Griffin would be the natural successor to Ó Sé at midfield but his redeployment to full back last weekend was deemed a success as Cork full forward Michael Cussen's impact was somewhat muted. He is expected to be retained on the square's edge.

Micheál Quirke is another option and at 6ft 6ins the Tralee Tigers basketball player would bring physicality to the Kerry midfield. It's his mobility that has been questioned in the past. In this context, however, it is worth noting that Ó Sé himself, hardly the most mobile, has been effective around the middle third in recent seasons.

David Moran, Tommy Walsh and Daniel Bohane remain alternatives for midfield. So does Kieran Donaghy, but moving him out of the full-forward line would seem an option to be considered only in drastic circumstances.

As for the other All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday, Wexford and Tyrone are expected to announce teams tonight. Neither panel has reported any new injuries. Colm Cavanagh is back in contention for Tyrone after sustaining a broken collarbone against Westmeath on July 26th.