Cork hurling: Alan Connolly to miss early part of new year

Cork hurler Alan Connolly is set to miss the early part of the 2027 season due to recovery from a thumb operation.

The attacker sustained the injury during the Rebels’ last Munster SHC round-robin game, against Clare in May. While he was able to play the remainder of the inter-county campaign, and for Blackrock in the county championship, surgery is required to ensure proper long-term rehabilitation.

There had initially been fears that the 25-year-old would miss a period of around four months, but it is believed that Connolly will now have a shorter recovery timeframe.

Having taken over primary free-taking duties in the wake of Patrick Horgan’s retirement, Connolly scored 1-53 across Cork’s seven championship matches, with 1-11 of that coming from play. His total of 462 minutes was bettered only by Patrick Collins, Niall O’Leary, Mark Coleman, Eoin Downey and Shane Barrett.

Ben O’Connor’s Cork side will have Co-op SuperStores Munster Hurling League action away to Tipperary and at home to Waterford in the early part of January, while the annual Canon O’Brien Cup game against UCC is also likely to provide an opportunity for players to show their wares.

There is the possibility of being involved in the final of the Munster league the week before the Allianz Hurling League begins with a journey to Tipp on the weekend of January 23/24.

While Séamus Harnedy has retired from inter-county action and Declan Dalton will not be part of the Cork squad in 2027, increased competition for places in the attacking department will come from the additions of Colin Walsh of Kanturk, Dungourney’s Jack Leahy, Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields) and the return of Connolly’s Blackrock colleaguee Robbie Cotter.

Another set to be given a chance is Leahy’s clubmate Cillian O’Callaghan, who scored eight goals in six matches as Dungourney finished as runners-up in the county Premier IHC.

Also in the mix as training for 2027 commences in just over a week are defenders Cathal McCarthy of Sarsfields and Midleton’s Eoin Moloney, with Damien Cahalane and Darragh O’Sullivan confirmed as not being involved.

Newcestown goalkeeper Cathal Wilson, an All-Ireland U20 medallist in 2021, is another who will be auditioned. Midleton’s Brion Saunderson had been the third-choice goalkeeper behind Patrick Collins and Paudie O’Sullivan this year but he departed the squad during the season.