CORK’S FOOTBALLERS HAVE been boosted by the confirmation that Alan O’Connor has committed to their cause for the 2016 season and is on course for a comeback from long-term injury during this spring’s league.
O’Connor returned from retirement to the Cork panel last April and he gave a man-of-the-match display in last summer’s drawn Munster final against Kerry.
But he was struck down with a serious leg injury as Cork crashed out against Kildare in last July’s All-Ireland qualifier.
There was question marks over O’Connor’s inter-county future but Cork manager Peadar Healy confirmed to The42 after last night’s McGrath Cup final win over Clare that O’Connor is in training and is targeting a return in ‘six-eight weeks’.
“Alan O’Connor is training and training well. I’d hope that Alan would be back in about six to eight weeks.
“Unfortunately it was a hernia injury, he’d a hernia operation so that held him back. He’s back training and he’s back running. That just takes time.
“Alan drives that team on, he’s a great leader.”
Cork are set to announce their league football panel on Monday morning ahead of next Sunday’s opening Division 1 clash against Mayo.
Apart from forward John Hayes who has retired, all of Cork’s 2015 panel are available for selection this season.
Several established players did not feature during the McGrath Cup but are expected to see game time shortly with Michael Shields the only confirmed injury absentee for the Mayo game.
“We’ll keep bringing in players, Alan and these fellas as they come back. We’ll keep rotating and giving exposure to the younger players.”
Defender Stephen Cronin, who fractured his leg in a club game last August, is also on the road to recovery and could feature in the senior league before his U21 commitments take hold.
“Stephen will be back training now shortly. He’s to just do a minor operation and then he’s good to go.
“He’ll be back full training then again. Hopefully we’ll get a game or two out of him.”
Healy’s primary league aim is for Cork to consolidate their Division 1 status.
“Stay in Division 1 for a start and I’d be satisfied with that and to give exposure to our new players. “
“It’s a tough one for sure, we don’t know what they’re going to bring. That game tonight will stand to us hopefully.”
He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though