Updated 18:10pm
THE CORK HURLERS will have to plan with Eoin Cadogan and Aidan Walsh for next Sunday’s hurling league quarter-final against Tipperary.
Football commitments are set to rule the duo, neither of whom were involved in yesterday’s win over Wexford, being tied up with the Cork senior footballers for their game against Tyrone next Sunday.
Alan Cadogan, who starred when being sprung from the bench and shooting 0-3 yesterday, will be available despite speculation that he would be left focus on the Cork U21 footballers Munster final tie against Tipperary on April 9th. Damien Cahalane, who came on as a substitute yesterday will also be available for the hurlers.
“We won’t have the footballers”, stated Cork boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy, speaking after yesterday’s game. “The arrangement was they’d play with us today and then we’d review it. I hope Mark Ellis will be back, William Egan will be back from studies in London.
“I’m not sure about Alan Cadogan, I want to be fair to him and the U21 footballers, they have a Munster final. Aidan Walsh had a hamstring problem that flared up before the game. Paudie (O’Sullivan) won’t be available for any league game.”
Barry-Murphy is pleased that Cork have made a swift return to Division 1A.
“It’s no disrespect to the opposition but I’m sure Wexford would tell you that the standard of opponent in 1A is way higher. It’s much more competitive and you have to be much more on your game.
“I don’t think our performances in 1B so far would in any way suffice to survive
relegation from 1A. We’re aware of that. Our main target was to get back to 1A and to have higher quality opposition next year.
“My view is that the likes of Wexford and Offaly should also be in the top flight, in some format, but the league has been very exciting this year and the GAA will be happy with that.”
The Cork boss is also satisfied that he has unearthed new options during the league.
“Some players have come in and been a bonus. Paul Haughney came in. Alan Cadogan was excellent and we’ve used him sparingly because of his U21 football commitments. Also Brian Lawton didn’t have one of his best games yesterday but he’s been very impressive all through the league.”
