CORK BOSS JIMMY Barry-Murphy has ruled out the chance of attacker Paudie O’Sullivan making a dramatic comeback from injury for their All-Ireland final replay against Clare.
O’Sullivan suffered a broken fibula and tibia in a club match last April and has been sidelined since.
After Sunday’s pulsating draw in Croke Park, Cork’s attention now turns to a replay date on September 28th.
But despite O’Sullivan making good progress in his recovery from the injury, Barry-Murphy believes it is still unrealistic to expect him to feature in the replay.
“I don’t think it is realistic. We thought at one stage a few weeks ago that it was but it is going to come too soon for him.”
Defender Brian Murphy described O’Sullivan as a ‘huge part’ of Cork’s panel.
“It would be absolutely brilliant for us if he could make it. He’s a huge part of the panel still. He has been absolutely fantastic all year, even with the injury he’s been training away with us.”
Attacker Patrick Horgan admitted he was ‘gutted’ for O’Sullivan having to miss out this summer.
“Gutted for him to be honest. He’s always there for us, at every training session, the last man to leave. It’s probably going to come too soon.
“He broke his leg only a few months ago. I’d say any time this year will be too soon for him. Gutted for him but he wants us to win more than anyone else.”
