BRIAN MURPHY WILL captain Cork in Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Clare.

The Rebels are without six of the side which lost to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-finals last August but they have been given a slight boost with the news that regular skipper Pa Cronin is fit to take his place among the substitutes.

Cronin has been battling pneumonia in recent weeks but Cork are now hopeful that he may feature at some stage in the Gaelic Grounds.

Elsewhere Jimmy Barry-Murphy hands Seamus Harnedy his first senior Championship start in the half-forwards. Harnedy, who made four substitute appearances last summer, starts at centre forward flanked by Cian McCarthy and Conor Lehane.

Stephen McDonnell returns to the side following a long injury lay-off to line out at corner back.

Cork (SHC v Clare): Anthony Nash (Kanturk); Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers), Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers), Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown), Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh), William Egan (Kilbrin); Tom Kenny (Grenagh), Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields); Cian McCarthy (Sarsfields), Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Conor Lehane (Midleton); Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), Stephen Moylan (Douglas).

Substitutes: Darren McCarthy (Ballymartle), Kilian Murphy (Erin’s Own), Patrick O’Mahony (Midleton), Stephen White (Ballygarvan), Mark Ellis (Millstreet), Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline), Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum), Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum), Michael Cussen (Sarsfields), Pa Cronin (Bishopstown), Brian Hartnett (Midleton).

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