CORK ARE PREPARING for their All-Ireland senior camogie final showdown against Kilkenny on Sunday week without nine-time All-Star defender Gemma O’Connor.
A true leader at centre half-back, O’Connor limped off in the 46th minute of their semi-final win over Galway after damaging ligaments in her knee. Before that game, she had also been struggling with an ankle injury.
Cork manager Paudie Murray has told the Evening Echo that she won’t make it back for the Croke Park decider on 10 September.
“We have to accept Gemma won’t be able to play,” he said. “It has taken from the buzz for us a bit because Gemma is one of the greatest camogie players of all-time.
“She’s a key member of our team and would be for any county, but we’ve explained to the rest of the players we have to push forward now.”
Cork captain Rena Buckley echoed his words at a media day ahead of the finals earlier, saying that she’ll be a big miss.
“Hugely,” she told The42. “Gemma’s been a huge player for us down through the years. She’s been an excellent player for Cork.
“She’s been a stalwart of Cork camogie over the last number of years. It’s very disappointing for Gemma not to be there. She’s certainly a loss for us.
“We’ve kind of known since the semi-final that she’s been in trouble so it won’t come as a shock to us on the day or anything like that.
“We’ll just have to get ourselves up and dust ourselves off and give it a go.”
The Rebels feature in the All-Ireland senior final for the fourth consecutive year and will be hoping to win the O’Duffy Cup back from the Cats — after Ann Downey’s side ended a 22-year wait for the crown last year.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
I blame Jack Grealish
If he chose Ireland none of this would have happened
Yeh, jack grealish the —-
“non-performance enhancing substance”
Does that mean it was ‘pot’ or ‘heroin’ or similar?….just asking..not sure?
Could be calpol Al by the sounds of things.. not sure either
Ya its kind of ambigous headline to be fair.
Can’t make heads of it either way.
Remember paddy kenny? Banned for taking cough bottle that his wife picked him up. Some of the ‘banned substances’ are just mad.
Probably cocaine
What has this got to do with the referendum?
He is suspended from voting.
There’s a future on the Monaghan football panel for the lad.
Who!?
Es are good, Es are good, Ebeneezer Goode
It says “non enhancing performance drug” could be a fu**ing anadin for all we know.
Gerrard’s retirement signalled the beginning of this carry-on. F*ckin Stevie messed it up again…
Mufillata
This just in
Young professional athlete does coke
4 year ban anyone? I’d also like to hear more about testing in the Premiership. Can anyone help? Any 6am calls or ongoing obligation to constantly report location?
What in the sweet name of baby Jesus are you on about. I’ll have a vowel please Carroll
E