JOHN O'DRISCOLL is back in the Cork hurling team for the National League relegation decider with All-Ireland champions Clare at Pairc Ui Chaoimh next Sunday. The Delaney's full back, who made quite an impression during his debut season last year, had been suspended since making - by all accounts unwittingly - an unauthorised playing trip to the US last autumn.
The suspension only runs out on Friday night, so his recall can be taken as an indication of how urgently the Cork management view the necessity of his return. He played in Cork's first League fixture, against Galway, but that was the last match under Johnny Clifford's management before Jimmy Barry Murphy was appointed his successor.
The team shows only two changes from that beaten by Kilkenny at the beginning of the month. O'Driscoll replaces Eamonn Morrissey in the full back line, and Joe Deane comes in for Mickey Mullins in the forwards, with Teddy McCarthy moving to wing forward and Alan Browne resuming his, usual position at full forward.
Deane had been rested for the last outing due to his heavy playing schedule with UCC. He returns on Sunday and will be contesting the corner opposite his captain on the Fitzgibbon-winning team, Frank Lohan.
Teddy McCarthy made his first start to a match in a while when he lined out on the edge of the square against Kilkenny, but his move to the wing is no surprise. The object of that day's exercise was to get him fit and motivated, rather than to displace the prolific Browne whose near goal-a-match tally over the last year has been a significant element in the team's scoring capacity.
Mark Mullins, who was unavailable because of injury for the Kilkenny match, is on the road to recovery and is named on the bench.
Would team manager Jimmy Barry Murphy, regard defeat and relegation as a disaster? "No, disaster is a bit strong - there's not much in sport I'd describe as a disaster. But I would be disappointed. We have a full panel, so there's no excuses"
As ever, Barry Murphy is keen to place the task ahead and his team-building in perspective. "Talent available is limited. I wouldn't say that the job is more difficult than I expected, but it's certainly more difficult than many people in Cork thought. I'm aware that bringing in food young players like Joe Deane - and Sean Og O hAilpin - is pushing them a bit early, but there's no one better available."
His opposite number on Sunday, Ger Loughnane, is keen enough to secure the win that will keep Clare, in Division One. "We'd prefer not to be relegated and will go all out to avoid it. It's so hard to get out of the second division that the season there is a dogfight."
For a team that established a platform for their extraordinary achievement's in last season's League, Clare appear to be taking this year's easily enough. "We couldn't have the same approach this year," says Loughnane. "It would be impossible to drive them for a long period. Our priority has to be to make sure we're ready for June."
For the match, Loughnane and his selectors make three changes to the side that lost narrowly to Tipperary in Thurles three weeks ago. Michael O'Halloran returns to right corner back after his St Patrick's Day triumph with Sixmilebridge in the All-Ireland club final. Ronan O'Hara and Conor Clancy also return to the team - having been dropped the last day.
Losing out are Ger Moroney (who is injured anyway), Colin Lynch and All-Ireland goal-scoring hero Eamonn Taaffe, who both revert to the substitutes' bench.
Meanwhile, Tipperary make two changes for the visit to Nowlan Park for a match that will decide whether they or Kilkenny earn automatic qualification for the League semi-final.
The experienced Noel Sheehy resumes at full back having come on as a substitute in the win over Clare, in place of Brian Flannery, with Paul Shelly moving to the corner. In the forwards, Liam Cahill comes in for David Bourke, with Kevin Tucker moving to the full forward line.
Stephen Perkins has made a big hit with Dublin's selectors. The Good Counsel player had his first match in the county colours against Laois, in midfield, last Saturday and is retained to lead the attack against Westmeath at Castletowngeoghegan on Sunday.
Andy O'Callaghan and Eamon Kelly are recalled and goalkeeper Eamonn Burke, injured against Laois, is fit to resume, as is Sean Duignan at right half back. The centre back spot is left open.
The death occurred yesterday of Mick Brophy, who was a member of the last Dublin team to win the All-Ireland senior hurling title, in 1938 when they defeated Waterford.
Originally from Aughmacart in Laois, Mick Brophy lived in Stillorgan and played his club hurling with Young Irelands. He is survived by his wife Nora and sons Michael John and Shay.
