Sexton the only change as Cork gear up for replay

Team news: Cork have wasted little time in doing the necessary remedial work ahead of Sunday's Munster football final replay against Kerry.

With defender Anthony Lynch suspended after being shown a red card in last Sunday's draw, the equally experienced Owen Sexton is called in as his direct replacement for the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Sexton, in fact, replaced corner forward Donnacha O'Connor the last day, but played in a defensive position. Forwards Seán O'Brien, Pierce O'Neill and Fintan Goold were also substituted in Killarney last Sunday, but all retain their positions.

Kerry will delay announcing their team until just before throw-in, because, according to county press officer Willie O'Connor, they have "a number of niggling injuries sustained in the drawn game".

One definite change will be at midfield as Kieran Donaghy picked up a two-week ban following his dismissal in the drawn game. One of the obvious options for manager Jack O'Connor is to move Eoin Brosnan into that position, with former minor star Darren O'Sullivan among the several replacements for Brosnan in the forward line.

Sunday's replay will be an all-ticket affair, with the throw-in at 3.30pm, and will be preceded at 1.45pm by the meeting of Cork and Tipperary in the Munster intermediate hurling final.

Mayo manager Mickey Moran has deferred until this evening the naming of his team to play Galway in the Connacht football final in Castlebar.

With forward Austin O'Malley rated doubtful because of a leg injury, Trevor Mortimer is in line for inclusion after showing good form for his club Shrule/Glencorrib.

Another forward, Alan Dillon, is available for selection despite suffering a concussion in the semi-final win over Leitrim, which means the only player definitely ruled out is the experienced midfielder David Brady, who only recently had a cast from a foot injury described by Moran as "that same problem Wayne Rooney had".

Galway manager Peter Ford announced his team on Tuesday night, the main talking point being the exclusion of experienced defender Kieran Fitzgerald.

"We had to assess the performances of all our players over the last few games and how lads have been going in training," explained Ford. "And Michael Comer deserved his chance this time."

A vacancy was left in the forward line as Ford awaits a report on Derek Savage's leg injury, although Joe Bergin was named in the half-forward line despite a long lay-off with a knee injury.

"Derek should be okay. He didn't train this week, so we said we'd wait until Friday. But Joe Bergin is playing well, and the fact that it's Mayo we're playing I don't think it will take long for any rustiness to shake off."

The only long-term absentee is Paul Clancy, who recently sustained the dreaded cruciate knee injury.

"Paul decided not to get an operation," added Ford, "but just strengthen it and maybe play some role later in the year. He's 30 now and if he had the operation he'd be out for a year, so he's taking a chance really."

CORK (SF v Kerry): A Quirke; M Prout, G Canty, K O'Connor; M Shields, G Spillane, E Sexton; N Murphy, D Kavanagh; S O'Brien, P O'Neill, K McMahon; J Masters, F Goold, D O'Connor.