Walsh doubtful, Cleary 'to decide' on Cork comeback for Corbett

Irish Examiner

20-05-2025

Cork boss John Cleary will have close to a full deck to pick from when his side head to Navan to take on Meath in their All-Ireland SFC opener on Saturday afternoon (throw-in, 3pm).
Conor Corbett and Ballincollig's Luke Fahy have been back in training with the Rebels and both will be considered for selection this weekend, but Cleary noted the long-term absence of Kevin O'Donovan and the battle Tommy Walsh faces to get back in time for the game one of the round-robin.
Kanturk defender Walsh is "struggling" with a heel knock he picked up in the Munster SFC semi-final defeat to Kerry.
"Kevin O'Donovan is out now, he's quite a long-term term, he won't make any of the three games I'd say," Cleary said. "Tommy Walsh is struggling a bit. We'll probably see later on in the week, he's doubtful."
Conor Corbett was a focal point in the Cork attack last term, but a cruciate ligament tear - his second of his career - suffered while playing in America for Chicago club, John McBride's, last summer, meant he only returned to Cork training last month.
The availability of Luke Fahy, another who has had his injury troubles, is another boost as Cork face into a busy few weeks.
"Obviously, they've not had a lot of game time, but their injuries have cleared up so they're back in training," Castlehaven club man Cleary said. "During the league, we had guys carrying knocks and bruises and injuries and thanks be to God, most of them have cleared up. But look, we're facing at least three games now in four weeks, possibly six in seven weeks, so we're going to need everyone."
Ben O'Carroll of Roscommon in action against Tommy Walsh of Cork. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Corbett's return to contention for championship fare has come shy of the nine-month mark post-cruciate rupture. Major strides have been made by the Clyda Rovers forward.
"Yeah, well, look, again, we've two more training sessions to go and then we'll decide, you know, and, look, he picked up - as probably all cruciate injuries do - they pick up little nicks along the way after coming back.
"You look at Paddy Lynch from Cavan, I think it's 13 months he's out, I think Conor is just over eight.
"He's made a huge, huge strides to get back in the field and the last thing we want to do is put him at risk now.
"His injury may be deemed okay, you know, whether he's physically ready to go, we'll just wait until the last minute before deciding."
One man who won't feature this weekend is Ballygarvan's Seán Brady, who is suspended following his dismissal against the Kingdom - a very frustrating situation for Cleary.
"Seán Brady's out as well, being suspended, which was very disappointing. We were disappointed when he was sent off, and to doubly compound it, we appealed it and it wasn't successful, Cleary said.
"Anyone I spoke to all over the country couldn't understand why it was a sending off and yet when we appealed it, they doubled down on it, which was disappointing.
"I think there's a new system in place now where you can't appeal the actual incident, you can only appeal the first hearing, so that's as far as it goes. So all you can do is appeal the technicality on the hearing you've got, you can't appeal the incident.
"Obviously, the hearing was okay, but I'm sure if you offered it to a lot of people, football people around the country, I don't think too many would have confirmed it was sending off, but look, it was and the appeal wasn't successful.
"It's disappointing but we just have to drive on."
He added: "I think what Seán was sent off for was behaving in a manner dangerous to an opponent. You know, if they're going to bring that into GAA, every time a fella goes for a ball or a 50-50 ball, there is an element of danger there.
"Look, disappointing, but we exhausted the avenues on it.
"Disappointing for Seán himself, you know, as much as anything else now he loses out this weekend, but nothing we can do about it now."