Brian Hurley set to make Munster Championship return
Cork footballer Brian Hurley is on the comeback trail following a serious hamstring injury.
By Cian O'Connell
Cork manager Ronan McCarthy is hopeful Brian Hurley could feature in the upcoming Munster Football Championship.
Back in 2016 Hurley ripped his right hamstring off the bone and suffered a recurrence of that injury last year. Hurley recently returned to club action with Castlehaven and McCarthy is encouraged.
"Brian’s come a long road," McCarthy stated at the launch of the Munster Championships in Bunratty on Monday.
"He played against Galway last week in a challenge and it was a real bonus for us. I felt he was going to be later in the summer before we’d see him, but we have to be careful as well.
"Let’s not lose the run of ourselves - it was 25 minutes of a challenge game, so we’ll watch him and monitor him, but it’s a bonus.
"He has a tremendous attitude, it’s infectious in the group. He went into the game and the Galway full-back knew he was there immediately, I’ll put it that way, and people rise to that.
"It’s brilliant to have him around, he’s a real competitor, but we have to be careful with him, and we we will be."
Cork will continue to monitor Brian O'Driscoll's hamstring complaint. "Brian, we’ve had a bit of a roller-coaster in that he was out and gone for the season, and then there was a possibility he’d be back," McCarthy added.
Cork footballer Sean Powter.
"At the moment we’re going to delay the operation and he has some chance of being involved, an outside chance, I’d say, but we’ll see over the next couple of weeks. But we wouldn’t rule him out for the year yet.
"It’s a hamstring injury, but just more complicated than a standard injury. He’s been in London, he’s gotten the best medical advice, but we’re just a bit uncertain.
"If he had a bit of luck - and he deserves it, because he’s put in a huge effort to get back after a serious shoulder injury - we’ll give him every chance to play some part in the Championship."
McCarthy also confirmed that Sean Powter and Paul Kerrigan are likely to miss the provincial semi-final against either Tipperary or Waterford.
"I think the game will be too soon for Sean Powter and for Paul Kerrigan, but Aidan (Walsh) should be fine," McCarthy revealed.
"He’s back training fully. There was a question at one stage about an operation, but I think we’re fine there.
"That’s obviously a positive. Paul - it’ll be too soon for him I’d think though we haven’t ruled him out.
"It’d be a major surprise, though, if Sean Powter and Paul Kerrigan play any role in the Tipperary or Waterford game."
