THE CORK FOOTBALL management have insisted that there were no ‘breach of discipline’ at their training camp in Portugal last month, and that goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran and former captain Michael Shields have been released back to their clubs to get more game time rather than being axed from the squad.
Selector Eoin O’Neill admitted at last night’s Munster championship launch that he was aware of the speculation about the duo but was adamant that their form continues to be monitored by the Rebels bosses.
Both players were in Cork senior football championship action at the weekend with Shields helping his club St Finbarr’s defeat Beara while O’Halloran was in goal for Bishopstown in their victory over Ballincollig.
“We’ve heard that thing come out,” outlined O’Neill.
“There was no breach of discipline in our training camp, absolutely not. Everbody was impeccable out there.
“The reason why those guys are back with their clubs a bit more was that for various reasons – whether injury or just not getting game time – they haven’t had much game time with us.
“So they’re gone back to their clubs now and they’ve played club championship. Our panel is an open panel.
“We’re going to be bringing in and out fellas depending on how they’re performing. They’re training hard with their clubs now and they’re getting game time.
“Basically Ken played the first (league) game and another game, Michael played nothing for us really. He played a half against Roscommon, he’s been injured. Michael had an ongoing issue with his ankle and a slight back issue.
“Ken just wasn’t getting as much game time. He’s back now playing with his club and he played very well at the weekend.”
O’Neill also revealed that Cork are waiting to determine the extent of the knee injury suffered last Friday in a club game by Ruairi Deane and gave an update on Cork’s other recent injury concerns.
“Alan (O’Connor) is a work in progress. He played for Carbery in the club championship. He’s another bit to go but he’s back playing at least.
Alan O'Connor is taken off injured against Kildare last year Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“Paddy Kelly played for Ballincollig, that’s another good thing from our point of view. They’re getting games under their belt. Noel Galvin unfortunately got injured again, so he looks a bit of a doubt to us.
“Barry O’Driscoll is on a long term thing. Conor Dorman came back and played for Bishopstown again, so it’s going in the right direction.
“Whether they’re up to inter county championship standard yet in terms of their fitness, well we have to see that over the next four or five weeks, and see how they get on.”
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Cork insist 'no breach of discipline' at football training camp in Portugal
THE CORK FOOTBALL management have insisted that there were no ‘breach of discipline’ at their training camp in Portugal last month, and that goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran and former captain Michael Shields have been released back to their clubs to get more game time rather than being axed from the squad.
Selector Eoin O’Neill admitted at last night’s Munster championship launch that he was aware of the speculation about the duo but was adamant that their form continues to be monitored by the Rebels bosses.
Both players were in Cork senior football championship action at the weekend with Shields helping his club St Finbarr’s defeat Beara while O’Halloran was in goal for Bishopstown in their victory over Ballincollig.
“We’ve heard that thing come out,” outlined O’Neill.
“There was no breach of discipline in our training camp, absolutely not. Everbody was impeccable out there.
“The reason why those guys are back with their clubs a bit more was that for various reasons – whether injury or just not getting game time – they haven’t had much game time with us.
“So they’re gone back to their clubs now and they’ve played club championship. Our panel is an open panel.
“We’re going to be bringing in and out fellas depending on how they’re performing. They’re training hard with their clubs now and they’re getting game time.
“Basically Ken played the first (league) game and another game, Michael played nothing for us really. He played a half against Roscommon, he’s been injured. Michael had an ongoing issue with his ankle and a slight back issue.
“Ken just wasn’t getting as much game time. He’s back now playing with his club and he played very well at the weekend.”
O’Neill also revealed that Cork are waiting to determine the extent of the knee injury suffered last Friday in a club game by Ruairi Deane and gave an update on Cork’s other recent injury concerns.
“Alan (O’Connor) is a work in progress. He played for Carbery in the club championship. He’s another bit to go but he’s back playing at least.
“Paddy Kelly played for Ballincollig, that’s another good thing from our point of view. They’re getting games under their belt. Noel Galvin unfortunately got injured again, so he looks a bit of a doubt to us.
“Barry O’Driscoll is on a long term thing. Conor Dorman came back and played for Bishopstown again, so it’s going in the right direction.
“Whether they’re up to inter county championship standard yet in terms of their fitness, well we have to see that over the next four or five weeks, and see how they get on.”
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It's all good Ken O'Halloran Michael Shields Rebels Cork