Sean O hAilpin starts his first NFL match for Cork this year as manager Larry Tompkins makes three changes to the team beaten by Armagh in Cork last Sunday week for the game against Tyrone on Sunday.
County hurler O hAilpin has missed out on recent matches because of exams in Dublin City University. Since the announcement by Brian Corcoran last month that he intends to concentrate on hurling, O hAilpin is the last dual inter-county player in the county. He comes into the team for Donagh Wiseman at right wing back.
Otherwise Aidan Dorgan returns to the wing forward position from which he had to withdraw just before the Armagh match which cost Cork their unbeaten record. He displaces Fachtna Collins who substituted for him that day.
Former captain Ciaran O'Sullivan also makes his first start since returning from injury a couple of weeks ago. The versatile Beara man is named at centre forward, the position into which he was brought in against Armagh. Indirectly he replaces Michael O'Sullivan whose centrefield position is filled by Nicholas Murphy's dropping back from the half-forwards.
Armagh's selection to face Leitrim will be delayed until Thursday night. There are no particular injury concerns although centrefielder Jarlath Burns, who missed out on the victory in Cork because of pneumonia, is still unavailable.
Joint-manager Brian Canavan is awaiting reports on his sizeable Sigerson contingent who were part of Queen's unsuccessful attempt to make it a home win. There are no immediate reports of injury.
"Things are going well. The Cork match will only be a good result if we beat Leitrim," said Canavan.
After a good campaign which has only been stained by an opening-day defeat against Donegal and a draw with Dublin, Armagh are poised to reach the play-offs for the first time since the county reached the final in 1994 against Meath.
"We would love to go to the play-offs and get a few matches at a higher level. We've only won one championship match in three years and it's a young team which could do with the experience of, say, Croke Park," added Canavan.
The county has been expected to make a move over the last few years. Last June in the Ulster championship, the team held its own against ultimate winners Derry until the last 10 minutes. "We have a tendency not to take opportunities, to have difficulty scoring goals despite winning possession. That's something we need to work on," said Canavan.
Progress has been particularly impressive given the absence of the Crossmaglen players currently zeroing in on a second All-Ireland title in three years. When the club's players again become available, they may have to wait for reselection.
"It's very hard to displace a winning team and at the moment that's what we have. But we would be glad to have all players available to us,"said Canavan.
Offaly's manager, Tommy Lyons, is also waiting to name the team which will face Donegal. There are, however, no injury worries.
Cathal Daly was the county's only Sigerson representative at the weekend and played extremely well in the Garda College's run to the final but hasn't been reported as injured.
Donegal's manager Declan Bonner had a more extensive Sigerson involvement including Jimmy McGuinness, captain of the victorious IT Tralee team. McGuinness and James Ruane - captain of Athlone IT - both came down with a stomach bug which apparently caught up with a few of the weekend's competitors. Bonner will name his side tomorrow night.
Dublin's Tom Carr will do likewise although he must do without the injured Jim Gavin for the visit of Galway at the weekend.
Opponents Galway's manager John O'Mahony is also waiting because of an injury suffered by Derek Savage, also in a club match.
CORK (SF v Tyrone): D McAuley; M O'Donovan, R McCarthy, A Lynch; S O hAilpin, O Sexton, M Cronin; L Honohan, N Murphy; A Dorgan, C O'Sullivan, P O'Mahony; P Clifford, J Kavanagh, M O'Sullivan. Subs: To be announced later.
