Noel Hickey is expected to return at full back on the Kilkenny team for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Cork after recovering from a hamstring problem. The injury sidelined the Dunnamaggin clubman for the Cats' entire Leinster SHC campaign, with JJ Delaney deputising in his absence. However, he has regained full fitness in recent weeks and his anticipated return to the edge of the square would see Delaney released to the half back line when it's likely he would be given the task of marking Cork dangerman Ben O'Connor. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting on Leeside that Diarmuid O'Sullivan will not be included in Cork manager Gerald McCarthy's team which is due to be announced tonight. The 'Rock' has been struggling at full back of late, and was given a torrid time by Galway's Joe Canning and Clare's Niall Gilligan in his two most recent outings. O'Sullivan has been an automatic choice on the Cork team for the past decade, but after being substituted against Clare, it appears likely that McCarthy will make the 'hard call' and drop him to the subs' bench. Tweet

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