CORK HURLING MANAGER Jimmy Barry-Murphy insists that the door remains open for Conor O’Sullivan should he want to come back to the panel, though a return for William Egan is unlikely.
Defender O’Sullivan decided to opt out of the Rebels’ set-up last week, having experienced limited game-time in the latter part of the Allianz Hurling League campaign.
Cork face Waterford in Sunday’s final with Barry-Murphy admitting that they are short of cover at the back and that the Sarsfields man would be welcomed should he change his mind.
“I was disappointed [that he left]” Barry-Murphy admitted.
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“We felt Conor still had a huge part to play. I just hope in time that he will come back into the scene because I feel he has a lot to offer. We are very disappointed to see him going.
Enjoying
“He just felt he wasn’t enjoying it any more. He wasn’t starting the last couple of games. He felt his game was suffering and he wasn’t enjoying it.
“We would certainly have the door open to those who we believe can play a part. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out.”
Wing-back Egan, who had been away travelling, won’t feature in 2015, however.
“I sounded out the situation with William,” Barry-Murphy said, “he didn’t feel he was in a position to come back and be part of the panel. He felt he had missed too much of the year and he didn’t feel he was ready to be part of the panel going forward.”
Cork's William Egan. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Ahead of Sunday, Barry-Murphy expects a full-strength panel, with Mark Ellis – who missed the semi-final against Dublin – likely to be back.
“We are hopeful Mark will be okay,” he said.
He had a combination of a hamstring injury and a virus which kept him out of the semi-final. Cormac Murphy trained last week and should be okay.
“I would say there are a number of players who at times during the league wouldn’t be entirely happy that they didn’t get as much game-time as they would have liked, Paudie O’Sullivan would be one.
“Overall, I am very happy with the number of players we have tried. A lot of players have got a lot of game-time.”
Door open for O'Sullivan Cork hurling return but 2015 ruled out for defender Egan
CORK HURLING MANAGER Jimmy Barry-Murphy insists that the door remains open for Conor O’Sullivan should he want to come back to the panel, though a return for William Egan is unlikely.
Defender O’Sullivan decided to opt out of the Rebels’ set-up last week, having experienced limited game-time in the latter part of the Allianz Hurling League campaign.
Cork face Waterford in Sunday’s final with Barry-Murphy admitting that they are short of cover at the back and that the Sarsfields man would be welcomed should he change his mind.
“I was disappointed [that he left]” Barry-Murphy admitted.
“We felt Conor still had a huge part to play. I just hope in time that he will come back into the scene because I feel he has a lot to offer. We are very disappointed to see him going.
Enjoying
“He just felt he wasn’t enjoying it any more. He wasn’t starting the last couple of games. He felt his game was suffering and he wasn’t enjoying it.
“We would certainly have the door open to those who we believe can play a part. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out.”
Wing-back Egan, who had been away travelling, won’t feature in 2015, however.
“I sounded out the situation with William,” Barry-Murphy said, “he didn’t feel he was in a position to come back and be part of the panel. He felt he had missed too much of the year and he didn’t feel he was ready to be part of the panel going forward.”
Ahead of Sunday, Barry-Murphy expects a full-strength panel, with Mark Ellis – who missed the semi-final against Dublin – likely to be back.
“We are hopeful Mark will be okay,” he said.
“I would say there are a number of players who at times during the league wouldn’t be entirely happy that they didn’t get as much game-time as they would have liked, Paudie O’Sullivan would be one.
“Overall, I am very happy with the number of players we have tried. A lot of players have got a lot of game-time.”
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Case for defence Conor O'Sullivan JBM Rebels Cork William Egan