Mark Keane on the bench as Cork names eight from the team that lost last year’s Munster final

Collingwood’s AFL player Mark Keane has been named to the Cork bench for Sunday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry.

The 20-year-old, who debuted with the Melbourne club in August and recently signed a new two-year deal, is a surprise selection given recent opposition from AFL teams to their Irish players playing competitive Gaelic football.

Sydney Swans’ Colin O’Riordan linked up with Tipperary last month, but is not queuing for his county, while Mark O’Connor annoyed Geelong when he played for Dingle in October two years ago, as did Conor McKenna with Essendon. after signing for Eglish. last november.

However, it is understood that Keane received permission from Collingwood and is understood to be a midfield option.

Cian Kiely, James Loughrey and Cathal O’Mahony are the main absentees from the Cork team, as Ronan McCarthy has announced a team showing seven changes to the team that lost last year’s final to Kerry.

The defense, including the goalkeeper where Micheál Aodh Martin replaces Mark White, shows five changes. Seán Powter has been named cornerback and there are championship debuts for 2019 Irish U-20 winners Maurice Shanley, Seán Meehan and Colm O’Callaghan. Kevin O’Donovan, a substitute used at Páirc Uí Chaoimh 17 months ago, is selected as a winger.

Paul Kerrigan and Seán White, who started last year, are on the bench.

John O’Rourke enters the mid-front line to join O’Callaghan and Ruairí Deane. There are no changes from midfield and full attack line since the previous county SFC meeting.

CORK (SFC vs. Kerry): M Martin (Nemo Rangers); S Powter (Douglas), M Shanley (Clonakilty), K Flahive (Douglas); K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers), S Meehan (Kiskeam), M Taylor (Mallow); I Maguire (c, St Finbarrs), K O’Hanlon (Kilshannig); J O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), R Deane (Bantry Blues); M Collins (Castlehaven), B Hurley (Castlehaven), L Connolly (Nemo Rangers).

Subs: A Casey (Kiskeam), S Ryan (St Finbarrs), P Ring (Aghabullogue), M Hurley (Castlehaven), T Corkery (Cill na Martra), P Walsh (Kanturk), K O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cartaigh), S White (Clonakilty), P Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers), M Keane (Mitchelstown), D Gore (Kilmacabea).