LAST WEEK, IT was announced that two-time All-Ireland winner Brian Murphy had made a dramatic return to the Cork panel on the eve of their 2015 championship campaign.
And Rebels boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy has no qualms in throwing the 2006 Allstar winner straight into championship action as Cork get set to play Waterford next Sunday.
“He trained all last week and is in contention to start,” remarked Barry-Murphy.
“With Lorcán injured, we had a serious lack of cover. We looked at all the club championship games, he was outstanding for his club [Bride Rovers].
“We went back to him and asked him to reconsider coming back into the fold given the problems we had. He made himself available and we are delighted with that. It has been a great boost to the panel.
“He didn’t need convincing. He just wanted to make sure that we wanted him and did we feel he was up to it. We certainly did, his form has been brilliant.
“It is a leap of faith in one sense. There is a risk factor for Brian too. Coming back, you never know how it is going to work out and it is not easy to walk back into a set-up you have left.
“He is such a good player I have no worries that will be a problem. Players of his quality don’t come around too often.”
Cork will make a call tomorrow night on whether to start Seamus Harnedy in the clash with Waterford.
Harnedy suffered a hamstring tear in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final defeat to the Déise five weeks ago. Barry-Murphy admits that the recovery hasn’t been as swift as hoped, but there is good news regarding injuries to Lorcán McLoughlin an Alan Cadogan.
“We are worried about Seamus,” he said, “it’s taking a bit longer than we thought.
“You’d be hoping against hope that he would be okay, but I’d say he is slightly doubtful, we’ll know for sure tomorrow night.
“He trained a bit on Saturday morning and he’s to do a bit more Tuesday night, then we will decide. He is out now five weeks and that’s not ideal.
“Lorcán McLoughlin is out, but he is looking a lot better than we thought. He will be back in a couple of weeks’ time. Alan Cadogan is fine, he trained hard on Saturday morning.”
Rip Eamonn condolences to the family
Great GAA man, RIP
That’s very sad, RIP. What happened to him?
@macca1986: None of ur business. Nor is it important at this time
@James: spot on, just pay ur respects. RIP and condolences to his family
@James: only normal to wonder when a news story is portrayed but nothing is stated. As I said RIP, very sad.
@James: it’s an honest question, asked out of concern. No need to be Mr Dick.
@macca1986: agreed Macca, yer man James is a flute. To answer your question(asked in a genuinely concerned manner) he died of a heart attack this morning. I met him at the Kerry-Tyrone semi final in August as we were both in the Hogan Stand. I recognised him and chatted with him briefly. Such a nice man. RIP.
@James: no need to be rude. It’s just a question lad.
Rest in peace.
Thanks for the memories Eamonn. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.
R.I.P. very good player in a very good team. 55 is way to young to go.
God rest his soul rip.
RIP. Very young. Remember his 2 points well. Vital scores. Down showed the way for Ulster to dominate for the majority of the 90s. Great servant to his county and sport. Condolences